CA2364601A1

CA2364601A1 - Computer-assisted hologram forming method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2364601A1
Application number: CA002364601A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Emine Goulanian; Faouzi Zerrouk
Original assignee: Utar Scientific Inc
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-03
Filing date: 2001-12-03
Publication date: 2003-06-03
Also published as: WO2003048870A1; AU2002351564A1; US20050122549A1

Description

COMPUTER-ASSISTED HOLOGRAM FORMING METHOD AND
APPARATUS
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to holography, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for forming holograms of any object by means of optical techniques handled or controlled by a computer in accordance with three-dimensional data representing said objects in a computer database, and thereby for recording their three-dimensional images which are reproducible by such hologram imaging or rendering to be preferably used for viewing.
The present invention can be used for diverse visual applications in a wide variety of fields, including but not limited to, art, advertisement, design, medicine, providing of amusement, entertainment, engineering, education, scientific research, and others associated with examination of information filling a three-dimensional space containing an object and visual perception of this information in the form of three-dimensional images. Affording an observer (a viewer) better conditions for improving an observation of images reproducible by such holograms and facilitating a perception of their depth and variability at different perspectives, and presenting a higher image quality by providing a better reproduction of details and shades of the objects stored in said database are all important for visual applications in said fields, while having an opportunity of on-line communication (or transmission) of proper data to a remote user or users for producing a hologram or holograms is highly desirable. The present invention allows for producing the holograms) adapted for such visual applications in all aspects and offers great opportunities in communicating or transmitting proper data for providing reproduction high quality images by such holograms.

2. Discussion of Background Since the beginnings of holography a multiplicity of concepts have been proposed by researches for realistically reproducing three-dimensional images of three-dimensional objects using the hologram(s). This interest has intensified with the increasing importance of using three-dimensional (3-D) data in computer based systems, which may correspond to 3-D virtual objects resulting from computer simulations in such fields as architecture, design, or to physical objects (i.e., objects which actually exist). There is an increasing importance for determining an object's relative location and orientation at remote work sites (see, e.g., US 5227898) or for analyzing results of CAT, MRI, and PET scans of human body parts (US 5117296), and so forth. This interest appears first and foremost due to the fact that a three-dimensional image is much more informative, expressive, illustrative and variable (or changeable) as compared with a two-dimensional image, to say nothing of the fact that taking visual information in the form of 3-D images is inherent to the very nature of human visual perception.
By viewing a two-dimensional (2-D) image of any actual or virtual object represented on a conventional photograph, transparency, drawing, picture, TV
or CCD camera view and the like, or displayed on a CRT, moving picture screen, computer display and so on, one can see only the same image even when changing viewing position. Undoubtedly, observing a multiplicity of relevant 2-D
images, an observer may create a 3-D mental image or model of a physical object or physical system. The accuracy of the 3-D model created in the mind of the observer is a function of the level of skill, intelligence and experience of the observer, as well as the complexity of the object or its parts to be observed and other circumstances.
Evidently, an integration of a series of 2-D images into a meaningful, understandable 3-D mental image places a great strain on the human visual system, even for a relatively simple three-dimensional object (see, e.g., US 5592313).
As to the complex object, then it can become understood from its, e.g., 2-D
successive projections onto computer display screen to those who spend hours studying this object from many different viewpoints, rather than to a common viewer not skilled in such a mental integration. The use of computer programs, such as multifunctional graphics for a large computer system, enables the viewer to grasp quickly and easily relationships between large amounts of data projected on the visual display.
But, the convenience and flexibility of such visual displays is often purchased with expensive computer processing power because, for instance, changing a viewpoint at which the object is viewed essentially requires a recomputation of all points in the display. Moreover, as a matter of fact, conventional visual displays fail to present three-dimensional images in any case due to a loss of 3-D information on flat screens. Only monocular cues to distance are preserved such as size, linear perspective, and interposition. No binocular or accommodative cues to distance are available (US 5227898). This circumstance is very important because the loss of 3-D information is one of the fundamental reasons why viewing different 2-D
images by means of conventional techniques turns out to be insufficient for creating an impression of a single 3-D mental image.
That is why at least some of said concepts have been proposed to facilitate integrating (or combining) different 2-D images in the mind by providing favorable conditions for their observation and perception. One of these concepts pertaining to a noticeable trend in Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques is based on providing an observer with images of different sectional components of an object (sectional images) in such a way as to create an effect of a three-dimensional image continuous in the depth direction. Diverse implementations of this concept are useful especially when 3-D data representing an object in a computer database is specified as a set of points in 3-D virtual space all of which should be visible simultaneously and each of them is assigned with some intensity value. The sectional components of that object may be serial planar sections made through the object and represented by photographic transparencies. The components may be a set of 2-D intensity pictures CA 02364601 2001-12-03 . .... , _....... ..
generated by mathematically intersecting a plane at various depths within the collection of points and represented by intensity modulated regions on a CRT
screen. The components may be a number of cross-sectional views of the 3-D
physical system (e.g., of a human body part) represented by results of CAT, MR
and PET scans or other medical diagnosis and so on (see US 5117296 mentioned above, US 4669812 and US 5907312).
In one method embodying this concept, images of sectional components of the object are successively displayed on a cathode-ray tube (CRT) and then presented to a deformable mirror system varying its focal length in respective states of mirror deformation to cause the appearance of these sectional images at different distances from the observer. A process of presenting sectional images is repeated at a rate which causes perceptual fusion to the observer of these images into a 3-D
mental image (see, for example, US 3493290 and US 4669812).
Another method embodying this concept uses a flat screen moving from an initial position to a final position at a constant speed and instantly returning to the initial position, and further repeating this cyclic movement substantially in a saw-tooth-like profile. Images of successive sectional components representing different depths within an object (called "depth planes") are focused in turn onto the moving flat screen at times when its respective position corresponds to the appropriate relative depth of said sectional component. When the process of presenting images of different depth planes is performed beyond the flicker fusion rate, the observer sees all depth plane images simultaneously at the positions corresponding to the depths of such sectional components within the object, i.e., these images appear as a single 3-D image (US 4669812). Still another method is realized by a volumetrically scanning type three-dimensional display. The images of depth planes in this method are projected in turn to the moving flat screen by means of raster scanning with laser light under control of a computer (in accordance with control data) through an X-Y
deflector and a modulator assigning said laser light intensity. The 3-D image appears as an afterimage in the viewer's eyes on the condition that the scanning speed of the laser beam and speed of the moving flat screen are sufficiently synchronized with each other (US 5907312).
However, all these methods require the use of complex mechanisms to assure synchronization of mechanical movement (or deformation) of an optical element (moving screen or deformable mirror) in such a way that an image of each sectional object component (a sectional image) presented to said optical element at the precise moment appears at the proper depth within the 3-D mental image. This circumstance as well as the process itself of the complicated mechanical movement (or deformation) seriously limits the performance capabilities of the respective apparatus (visual display) and the flexibility of its transformation. Besides said circumstances, a sufficiently large memory should be provided prior to the initiation of said process to store data processing, i.e., 2-D data relating to each sectional object component (sectional data or depth data), as well as original 3-D data representing said object. Further, due to flicker fusion rate requirements, a necessity of updating the CRT once for each sectional component is a limiting factor in achieving desired resolution of each sectional image, and hence of the complete 3-D
image. Furthermore, the 3-D image obtained by these methods is a semi-transparent one in which its rear side (hidden line and/or hidden surface area) appears due to scattering light by conventional (e.g., diffuse) screens in all directions.
This last circumstance as well as problems associated with using complicated mechanical movement is a principal drawback of these methods.
One of embodiments disclosed in US 5907312 provides for using the relative position data of points of each depth plane image and data relating to a plurality of viewpoints in a field of view for eliminating hidden lines and/or hidden surface areas when preparing control data. All embodiments, instead of the conventional screen, use a moving flat screen composed of a large number of pixels each having a plurality of diffraction elements (elementary holograms) each capable of diffracting light in a different predetermined direction. Diffracted rays of light from elementary holograms of each pixel are controlled to be seen as being emergent from one point source. All pixels composing the moving flat screen are made to be similar.
The employment of reflection (Lippman) type elementary holograms requires scanning means for scanning the moving flat screen with laser light. In contrast, using transmission (Fresnel) type elementary holograms requires means for enlarging a laser beam in size and means for spatially modulating the intensity of transmitted light (like a liquid crystal panel) to illuminate each pixel of the screen.
The liquid crystal panel having a large aperture number is integrally overlaid on the moving flat screen in such a way that its pixels can be correctly matched with diffraction elements (elementary holograms) of the screen. Thereby, only necessary diffraction elements corresponding to the pixels selected under control of the computer are illuminated with laser light of the desired intensity. The computer determines directions from the viewpoint towards hidden line and/or hidden surface areas.
The computer then determines rays of light to be directed or not from a plurality of diffraction elements of each screen pixel and then controls modulation of light illuminating each diffraction element of this pixel. That is why the 3-D image thus obtained may be observed from any desired viewpoint without the hidden rear side of the object appearing.
However, this is purchased with a redundancy in information to be processed due to the necessity of selecting each diffraction element as being seen or not from a plurality of viewpoints. And so a multiple control of the direction of every diffracted ray of light emanating from each of the point sources representing pixels of the moving flat screen results in a considerable increase in the amount of both computation time and information to be updated at respective positions of the moving flat screen. This circumstance causes, when maintaining the field of view, either the imposition of limitations on the achievable resolution of each depth plane image to compensate for such an increase in information to be processed or the setting of a widened depth plane interval (spacing) within the object to meet flicker fusion rate requirements. However, as a result of such limitations, fine image details (or small image fragments), perhaps important to the observer, are substantially lost, hence reducing the quality of the three-dimensional image to be reproduced. On the other hand, if the depth plane spacing becomes too large, the impression of a image continuous in the depth direction can disappear and to be substituted by a set of separate depth plane images in the field of view. One of the fundamental reasons of such a circumstance is a loss of three-dimensional aspects in each depth plane image (i.e., in the image of each sectional object component) when calculating and presenting this image by means of the moving flat screen. Another fundamental reason of such a circumstance may be associated with the lack of mutual information pertaining to a visually perceived relationship between sectional data stored in different depth plane images. This other reason is explained by the fact that each depth plane comprises only data related to a particular depth within an object or, in general, that any given point in 3-D virtual space containing an object is represented by only one point in one depth plane. Therefore, when employing the concept of the sectional representation of the object in 3-D Imaging Techniques, said circumstances and peculiarities relating to conditions of using computational and optical techniques turn out to be important, and so they should be taken into account as being able to limit the possibilities of improving conditions of the observation and perception of depth plane images and increasing the image quality as well.
To avoid some of the problems associated with using complicated mechanical movement, a further method providing for the employment of off axis multiple component holographic optical elements (called mcHOEs) in a combination with transparencies representing a set of serial planar object sections has been proposed in US 4669812. These holographic optical elements (HOEs) are transmission or reflection type holograms each made with two point sources of diverging light and termed "off axis" if either of the point sources lies off the optical axis.
Each hologram acts as lens-like imaging device with an assigned focal length and causes an image of a respective transparency to appear centered along the optical axis at a predetermined depth. Each of said transparencies has a diffuser screen (a ground glass type) and is disposed on a holder in order to be illuminated sequentially. When the rate of sequential illumination of the transparencies exceeds the flicker fusion threshold of the viewer, the individually projected depth plane images are fused (to the viewer) into a 3-D mental image in the field of view. The rate of sequential illumination, hence, is a limiting factor, and if said illumination is too slow, the depth plane images will flicker and no fusion will result. Were all transparencies evenly (or simultaneously) illuminated, the viewer would see a discrete set of depth planes images each at a different depth, rather than a continuous, fused 3-D
image of the object.
However, the employment of mcHOEs requires a great deal of intermediate representations, i.e., transparencies, scans or like hard copies, to be preliminarily created, especially when executing in the assigned field of view a procedure of removing hidden lines and/or hidden surface areas, which otherwise would be plainly visible to the viewer. If any available set of transparencies is not the one that the viewer would like to select due to poor quality of depth plane images or his (or her) desire of having other discernible image details, an additional set of HOES, one for each additional transparency, should be created. This also applies for other cases when the depth plane spacing needs to be changed. The necessity of creating numerous transparencies or like hard copies and an equal number of HOES and also matching positions of depth plane images along the optical axis is a limiting factor requiring a large amount of time, restricting flexibility of furthering the method and limiting the possibility of using this method to those who are skilled in the relevant Art, rather than allowing use by common users.
A still further method and apparatus described in US 5117296 provides for the employment of similar off axis multiplexed holographic optical elements (mxHOE) in a combination with CRT addressed liquid crystal light valves (LCLVs) instead of transparencies, thus removing problems related with preparing and using the latter.
Each object section may be computer-generated, for example, by the mathematical projection of each 3-D point (x, y, z) to one appropriate section at a position along the optical (z) axis corresponding to the location of an image of that respective section (a sectional image). Since each section is independent from any others, some parallel processing means in a master controller or graphics processor may be employed for producing sections from 3-D data and for subsequent writing each sectional data set to its respective LCLV. The mxHOE contains independent (i.e., multiplexed) holographic optical elements each relating to one of object sections and having a definite focal length to place an image of that section in a certain position at a predetermined depth along the optical axis. This method and apparatus provide for composing the 3-D image prior to recording it as a hologram.
However, in contrast to the preceding US4669812 method, all sectional images are created simultaneously. This circumstance deteriorates greatly the conditions of their perception and in practice a common observer (a viewer) not skilled in their mental integration usually watches a set of separate sectional images disposed at discrete distances along the optical axis, rather than a single 3-D image.
Simultaneous sectional images have been produced also in other methods, for example described in US 4190856.
This situation requires affording an observer an extended field of view and an increased number of sectional images to improve perception of a relationship between sectional data stored in these images and thereby facilitate their integrating into a meaningful and understandable 3-D mental image. But, the US S 117296 method just described has a limited field of view permitting the viewer to watch along the optical axis. A larger field of view requires much more information content for each of the sectional images to be presented for providing variability when viewing from different viewpoints. As a result, a redundancy in information to be processed arises due to a necessity of representing each object point in each sectional image from numerous viewpoints. Accordingly, a sufficiently larger memory for storing data processing (sectional data) as well as the original 3-D data is required. Further, the more the number of sectional images the more in turn the number of off axis LCLVs which, however, increases the complexity of the sectional image combining means and the bulkiness of said apparatus as a whole.
Each of such circumstances relating to conditions of using said optical and computational techniques is capable of limiting possibilities of improving conditions of the observation and perception of depth plane images in every particular implementation. That is why taking into account these circumstances is important when producing holograms adapted for visual applications in the mentioned fields (in Field of the Invention) and so they have to be taken into account.
Moreover, as in the preceding method, additional HOES must be created and matched with sectional images, when increasing their number. This requires a large amount of time and restricts the flexibility of the US S 117296 method and limits the possibility of using it to those who are skilled in the relevant Art, rather than allowing its use by common users. Because of that, a redundancy in information to be processed as well as a necessity of creating additional HOES and using qualified personnel, when increasing the number of sectional images, are the limiting factors for the US
5117296 method and apparatus.
It is worth noting that coherent radiation is used in optical techniques handled with the computer in mentioned methods and apparatus relating to Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques only for presenting images of sectional object components. For providing variability in each of the sectional images and eliminating a plainly visible rear side in a 3-D image thus obtained, a procedure like a hidden line and/or hidden surface area removal has to be used with respect to each of the different viewpoints. A plurality of holograms in these methods and apparatuses are employed to preferably function as optical elements such as diffraction elements capable of diffracting light in different directions or holographic optical elements each acting as lens-like imaging devices and so forth. In contrast, in Display Holography a hologram is used to be itself a representation of an object or its components and when properly imaged (or rendered) is capable of showing its image or images recorded thereby.
A method and apparatus relating to Display Holography and using a set of data slices (cross-sectional views) typically presented in the form of 2-D
transparent images (sectional images) are disclosed by US 5592313 in the context of medical imaging. Sectional images are projected with an object beam onto a projection screen having a diffuser and then onto a film of photosensitive material (a recording medium) for sequentially exposing thereon each image along with a reference beam.
Thereby a large number, e.g. one hundred and more, relatively weak superimposed holograms are recorded within said medium, each consuming an approximately equal, but in any event proportional, share of photosensitive elements therein. In particular, for the purposes of projecting sectional images, the apparatus comprises an imaging assembly configured with a spatial light modulator and including preferably a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal light valve (LCLV) and a projection optics rigidly mounted together with the projection screen in the assembly. After each exposure of the recording medium, the assembly is axially . . ~ 02364601 2001-12-03 . . _ .
moved in accordance with the data slice spacing, and a subsequent sectional image is projected onto the diffuser of the projection screen and then onto the medium for a predetermined period of time while using the same reference beam, and so a subsequent hologram is thus superimposed onto the medium. The diffuser scatters the light of the object beam transmitting therethrough over an entire surface of the medium and in such a way that scattered light seems to be emanating from one of the points on the diffuser. As a result, every point on the film "sees" each and every point within the projected sectional image when this image appears on the diffuser and embodies a fringe pattern containing encoded amplitude and phase information for every point on the diffuser. The hologram when illuminated enables the observer, e.g., physician, to view an image of each of the data slices and properly integrate all of these sectional images for creating a 3-D mental image of said physical system.
Similar sectional representation of a 3-D virtual space containing objects is used in a holographic display system to allow an operator of an equipment controller to view a 3-D mental image of the remote site for determining the relative location and orientation of remote objects, and thus for facilitating solutions of close-range manipulation tasks by operators (LJS 5227898). 3-D numerical data collected by a laser range scanner is stored in this system as a database and then divided or "sliced"
into multiple 2-D depth planes each representing surface points of the object at a predetermined depth position. Images of said depth planes are subsequently visually reproduced with laser light transmitted through one or more spatial light modulators (SLM's) to expose a photosensitive medium separately or in groups of three depth planes using a stack of three SLM's. The latter case is preferred to reduce the amount of time required for recording all of these images. After each exposure the SLM stack is repositioned at a distance corresponding to the actual (real-world) location of the images currently presented by means of this stack. Thus, depth planes images are recorded in the photosensitive medium in a multiplane-by-multiplane fashion and this multiplane, multiple exposure process is repeated until the entire space of the remote work site containing the selected objects is recorded.
Meanwhile, the ability of the human mind to integrate 2-D images of sectional object components (depth planes or cross-sectional views) into a 3-D mental image is limited, especially when using a restricted number of them. This circumstance seems to be just the same as in 3-D Imaging Techniques when presenting all of sectional images simultaneously, and definite difficulties of mentally transforming their series into the 3-D image are explained by the loss of three-dimensional aspects in each of these sectional images and the lack of mutual information pertaining to a visually perceived relationship between sectional data stored in them. This situation thus requires more complicated visual work to create an impression of a single mental image, and places a great strain on the human visual system. That is why this visual work may usually only be performed by those who are skilled in such mental integration. To expect a common observer (viewer) to be able to integrate said images into a 3-D mental image without affording such an observer more favorable conditions for observation and perception of these images is beyond reasonable expectation.
To this reason, it is highly desirable to enable the common observer, while viewing such a 3-D image, to observe its right-to-left aspects and top-to-bottom aspects as well as offering a changing observation distance to make it easier to visually understand the depth of the object and perceive its variability from different perspectives. Such variability requires that the particular image, depending on the viewpoint, will show certain features and will obscure other features because they are behind the former ones. So a procedure like the hidden line and hidden surface area removal has to be applied to each of the data slices by controlling, for instance, the visibility of any given point on any sectional image from each of a plurality of viewpoints to provide thereby a variability in 2-D images when changing viewpoints and the elimination of the plainly visible rear side in the 3-D image thus obtained.
Therefore, the more viewpoints used the more the information content of each sectional image to be presented as well as the redundancy of this information due to the necessity of representing each of the object points from numerous viewpoints. In turn, the longer is the period for updating LCLVs, SLMs or other means for projecting or displaying sectional images and the longer is the time for producing a hologram. Besides, larger memory should be provided for storing data processing, namely, 2-D data relating to each of said sectional object components (sectional data), as well as the original 3-D data representing said object as a whole in a computer database. Each of such circumstances relating to conditions of using said optical and computational techniques is able to restrict the possibilities of improving conditions of the observation and perception of depth plane images in every particular implementation. That is why taking into account these circumstances is important when producing holograms adapted for visual applications in the mentioned fields.
Due to the reason mentioned above it is necessary also to reduce the spacing between data slices within the object to improve the revealed relationship between data stored in different 2-D sectional images. Such a relationship varies depending on the nature of the image, conditions of its observation and perception, as well as the state of the observer's visual system and the observer's experience. Such a relationship becomes more apparent in the presence of similar details, fragments, shades and like features in various sectional images, and because of that facilitates their integration into a meaningful and understandable 3-D mental image. This circumstance may be explained by the fact that any details of apparent minor significance in a separate sectional image, when evaluated in the context of a set of sectional images may reveal close peculiarities being important for perceiving such a relationship. Obviously, the narrower is said spacing between data slices the more such features (and, therefore, mutual information) there are in each sectional image for grasping more easily the relationship between the sectional images, but, simultaneously, the greater is the number of these images and so the larger is the memory for storing data processing (said sectional information) as well as the amount of time required for producing a hologram. Besides, the amount of time is also larger for communicating or transmitting image data relating to these sectional images to a remote user when it is required for producing the holograms) by this user.
On the other hand, to facilitate integrating sectional images in the mind, compressed sectional data could be used for each sectional image (see, for example, US S 117296 and US 5227898) instead of the increased number of these images.
When making this in a system disclosed by US 5227898, depth planes segmented in the database are grouped into a set of depth regions sequentially disposed in virtual space and then compressed in each group into one depth plane by projecting the volume within each region into such compressed depth plane. Each compressed 2-D depth plane contains, thus, the surface points of the objects) for a given region of depth, facilitating thereby the perception of the 3-D mental image as continuous.
But, the extent of this region limits the effective depth resolution of such a image, while the information content of each compressed depth plane image to be presented increases considerably the period of updating image data and, therefore, the amount of time required for producing the hologram. And so, these circumstances have to be taken into account as well, when producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields. The number of compressed depth planes can be in the range of 20 to 80 depending on the resolution and said amount of time desired.
The analysis made shows that, irrespective of embodiments and purposes of applications of methods and apparatus in Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques or in sectional Display Holography, the problems of mentally transforming a series of sectional images into a 3-D image of the objects) are related with using the very concept of sectional representation of a 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects) and explained by the loss of 3-D aspects in each sectional image and the lack of mutual information for visually perceiving a relationship between data stored in different sectional images. Complicated visual work is required for integrating sectional images in the mind into a meaningful and understandable 3-D image, and places a great strain on the human visual system. Such circumstances have caused diverse attempts for simulating the variability in sectional images, to improve conditions for their observation and perception of the relationship between data stored in them, to facilitate creating an impression of 3-D mental image continuous in the depth direction. Unfortunately, these attempts result in other problems. In particular, a necessity of having much more information content for each sectional image and/or an increased number of sectional images is, in general, a limiting factor as it requires a large amount of time for computing and processing 2-D
images and for updating screens, LCLVs, SLMs, displays or other means for projecting or displaying these images, or a large memory for storing data preliminarily processed. Decreasing said requirements by imposing limitations on an achievable resolution of each sectional image and, hence, on the complete 3-D
image resolution is not acceptable for the purposes of visual applications in the ~o mentioned fields, because this results in reducing the quality of a 3-D image to be reproduced due to the loss of fine image details (or small image fragments) displaying the particular peculiarities of the objects) represented in a computer database.
The problems pertaining to the perception of the 3-D mental image as continuous in the depth direction could be partly avoided when using another concept based on providing an observer with images of different perspective views of an object (instead of its sectional images) to facilitate combining different 2-D
images in the mind.
This concept provides for presenting to one eye of the viewer an image of a slightly different view than that presented to the other eye, these views being in a proper order as being taken from a set of sequential viewpoints. The presentation of disparate images to the eyes provides an observer with binocular cues to depth. The differences in the images are interpreted by the visual system as being due to relative size, shape and position of the objects in the field of view and thus create an illusion of depth. Such conditions of the observation make it easier to fuse images of these views in the brain into an image that appears to the viewer as being a three-dimensional one according to stereoscopic effect. Consequently, the viewer is able to see depth in the 3-D mental image he or she views. This is caused by the fact that images of adjacent perspective views contain much more mutual information as compared with sectional images because each of the points of an object is presented at least in several perspective views improving thereby a relationship between data presented in them and facilitating the perception of the 3-D image as continuous.
Diverse 3-D display systems (including holographic ones) providing simultaneously a plurality of 2-D images of an object from different viewing (or vantage) points or viewing directions are generally discussed in US 5581378. Display Holography based on a representation of perspective views of 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects) uses a holographic representation of each perspective view.
One method embodying this concept comprises calculating a plurality of two-dimensional images of an object from different viewpoints on a single line or along one arc, plotting these images onto the microfilm frames, and then sequentially projecting them onto a diffused screen with coherent radiation for holographically recording 2-D images projected from said screen on to the separate areas of a recording medium as a series of adjacent, laterally spaced thin strips. Thus recorded individual holograms form together a composite hologram. Calculations were performed from 3-D data stored in the computer database as a multitude of points specifying a 3-D shape of the object. About two hundred computer-generated views of the object from different viewpoints were derived from 3-D data using an angular difference between adjacent views of 0,3 degree (LJS 3832027). Holographic recording makes the image of each view taken from a particular viewpoint to be visible only over a narrow angular range centered at this viewpoint.
Therefore, each viewpoint determines an angle at which the object is viewed, while each individual hologram representing the respective perspective view records the direction of the corresponding image light. This is so that a viewer moving from side to side sees a progression of views as though he or she were moving around an actual object.
If these images are accurately computed and recorded, a 3-D mental image obtainable by rendering the composite hologram (a composite image) looks like a solid one.
Said composite hologram is also termed a «holographic stereogramo (US 4834476) being, in fact, a stereoscopic representation of a 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects).
Because each of individual holograms in the composite hologram is quite narrow, each eye of the viewer sees the image through a different hologram.
Because each individual hologram is a hologram of a different view, this means that each eye sees images of slightly different view. And because the composite hologram is comprised of a plurality of individual holograms, the viewer is able to see images from different viewpoints simply by changing the angle at which he or she views the composite hologram. It is possible otherwise for a single viewer to obtain multiple views by keeping his position at a constant point with respect to the recording medium while rotating the latter. Taking into account that the viewer's eyes are always flickering about even when viewing an image, the transition from one viewpoint to another may be imperceptible (US 3832027, US 5748347). The latter depends on the number of 2-D images recorded by individual holograms, though.
Various methods of making holographic stereograms, multiplex holograms, rainbow holograms and others, including white light viewable ones are briefly described in the Background of US 5581378. In particular, photographic film footage is utilized for a formation of holographic stereograms and multiplex holograms where, e.g., in the latter each slit hologram is a single photographic frame recorded through a cylindrical lens. Each strip hologram in the holographic stereogram represents a different frame of the motion picture film projected onto the diffusion screen and has only a 3 mm width that corresponds to approximately one pupil diameter, while each pair of strips are 65 mm apart (inter-pupil spacing) and constitute a stereo pair visible for a particular viewpoint (or vantage point) of the viewer. A method and apparatus described by US 5216528 provide for recording the holograms of two-dimensional images with overlap, when the film carries many image frames, and each individual hologram is recorded in three successive areas of a photosensitive material. A method of making achromatic holographic stereograms viewable by white light is described in US 4445749 and requires a series of photographic transparencies taken from a sequence of positions preferably displaced along a horizontal line. A holographic printer for producing white light viewable image plane holograms is provided in US 5046792 using images formed on transparent film, such as movie or slide film. A system of synthesizing relatively large strip-multiplexed holograms is disclosed in US 4411489. The resultant composite hologram is rendered after bending it into cylindrical shape and placing a white light point source on the axis of the cylinder. A further development of this ~a system allows synthesizing strip-multiplexed holograms without the use of a reference beam.
The references may be continued, but it becomes clear that all these methods and apparatus, irrespective of their particular peculiarities and different purposes, require the previous creation of some hard copies of 2-D images, each hard copy being an intermediate representation of a particular perspective view. These hard copies may be a set of computer-generated plots, a series of photographic images on the film, a number of transparencies or may be formed, for example, by a motion picture film of a slowly rotating object such that each image is a view of the object from a different angle. Hence, this is just the same circumstance as in Display Holography based on the sectional representation of 3-D virtual space containing an object that requires a great deal of intermediate representations, i.e.
transparencies or like hard copies, to be preliminary created and so causes the similar problem of needing a large amount of time for carrying this out. Besides, two major problems are encountered when producing holographic stereograms in such a way:
vibrations caused by sequentially stepping transparent film of view images and by the movement of the vertical slit aperture, and the misalignment of vertical strip holograms caused by the horizontally movable slit aperture. The influence of vibration may, of course, be eliminated by allowing the system to stabilize in a non-vibrational state after each exposure, but this process is also time consuming.
Said problems of known methods and apparatus are similarly solved in US
4964684, US 5748347 by using a liquid crystal display in place of transparencies (or other hard copies) for direct modulation of an object beam. Information relating to images of perspective views is generated by a control computer and sequentially sent to the liquid crystal display (LCD). A collimated beam from a laser source is focused to form an essential point source. Light from this source is modulated, by transmitting it through the LCD, with image information of the respective perspective view and then projected onto a recording medium to expose a separate area thus producing a strip hologram. The next sequential image corresponding to the next viewpoint in the sequence is recorded adjacent the preceding area of the medium in the same manner. The image of each perspective view can be used for such holographic recording as soon as it is ready, without delay, and without the need for intermediate storage (e.g., in the form of a hard copy). Since production of each individual hologram is independent from any others, some parallel processing means may be employed for calculating the appropriate views from 3-D data stored in the computer database. Another liquid crystal display is used in place of the vertical slit aperture in the system described by US 4964684.
Meanwhile, regardless of the perspective view representation to be employed, a discrepant circumstance exists in improving conditions of the perception of a 3-D
mental image by means of a holographic stereogram. On the one hand, because each image is visible over the narrow angular range, there is a necessity of increasing a number of views for reducing discernable differences between 2-D images of such views from adjacent viewpoints. Otherwise, the viewer may perceive the 3-D
mental ~3 image as being discontinuous, i.e., composed of 2-D discrete images. On the other hand, the number of views cannot be too large to provide sufficient differences between images for the appearance of the stereoscopic effect. The viewer sees a 3-D
object because both eyes see disparate images presenting views of the object from various viewpoints. To meet these discrepant requirements, a minimal angular difference between adjacent views (or a minimal distance between the adjacent viewpoints) has to be selected for providing images of adjacent views to be marginally perceived as disparate ones. The minimal angular difference thus selected is approximately equal to one-third of one degree (US 5748347). The same angular interval is used in the method disclosed by US 3832027.
Therefore, the requirement of providing disparate images is a limiting factor because said angular interval is far beyond the value determined by the resolution limit of the unaided eye (about 1/60 degree - see US 5483364). In this case 2-D
images obtainable by rendering a holographic stereogram appear simultaneously in the field of view with a minimal but still perceivable discontinuity between them and so are fundamentally seen. This circumstance prevents the clear observation of a 3-D mental image, thus creating a discomfort for the observer and causing weariness. Moreover, the position of the 3-D image observed by both eyes does not coincide with the surface at which the focal point of the eyes is located.
Such a mismatch in its position creates a hard condition for viewing a composite image (i.e., a 3-D mental image obtainable by rendering a composite hologram or holographic stereogram). In such circumstances a definite visual work for removing this mismatch is required that places an additional strain on the human visual system causing weariness and eye fatigue (see US 5748347, US 5907312). Particularly, observing an image of a deep depth increases said strain on the eyes.
Furthermore, for specific groups of observers suffering from accommodative dysfunctions (disorders) or binocular anomalies such a visual work turns out to be very difficult or even impossible in contrast to the observation of the actual 3-D image.
Thus, avoiding the problems inherent to Display Holography based on a sectional representation of 3-D virtual space containing an object, Display Holography based on a representation of its perspective views creates other problems in the observation and perception of the obtainable 3-D mental image.
Apart from the problems in its observation and perception, a composite image has an incomplete dimensionality as it lacks vertical parallax. This circumstance arises when a variety of vertical views are not collected, and independent individual holograms are recorded on separate areas of the recording medium in the form of thin strips disposed side by side in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the three-dimensionality is retained only in this direction, and an appearance of depth of an image to the viewer rises also from horizontal three-dimensional characteristics, but 3-D characteristics in the vertical direction are substantially lost. In other words, when the composite hologram is viewed with both eyes of the viewer in a horizontal plane, the three-dimensional aspects of the image are available, and the movement of the viewer in a horizontal direction will show the same relative displacement of 1y image elements (details, fragments). Ordinarily, vertical parallax and vertical 3-D
characteristics are sacrificed in known methods and apparatus in the relevant Art for the purposes of reducing computational requirements and information content of the hologram. Besides, vertical parallax is traded for the ability to view the hologram by white light as in the rainbow hologram approach that uses a slit to overcome the diffusion or "smearing out problem". However, using the slit requires the viewer to be at the properly aligned position to view the object image (see, e.g., US
5581378).
The removal of vertical parallax, thus, restricts the field of view and creates a definite inconvenience for viewing the composite image because the observer is prohibited from seeing over or under the image. In other words, with the viewer at a fixed point, relative positions of details or fragments of the image in the vertical direction do not change with changes in vertical position of the hologram.
That is why it would be advantageous if a full-parallax, three-dimensional image (or 3-D
display) with binocular as well as accommodative cues to depth and in true color similar to natural vision, could be achieved (see also US 5227898, US
5581378).
If, however, it is desired that the composite image exhibit vertical parallax as well as horizontal parallax, a multiplicity of images of additional perspective views of the object should be computed from 3-D data stored in the computer database.
However, this results in a considerable increase in the amount of time for computing and processing these 2-D images and time for updating screen, LCD, SLMs, displays or other means for projecting or displaying these images as well as time for producing individual holograms representing perspective views. In particular, considerably larger should be a period of time for transmitting data relating to these images to a remote user when it is required for producing the hologram. In another variant, when these images are precomputed, much more memory for storing data processing, i.e., image data relating to all of 2-D images, is required as well as an amount of time for producing the composite hologram. In both variants, therefore, a considerably larger number of exposures would have to be taken as well to provide said "full-parallax" feature. As exemplified in US 5748347, n2 (e.g., 1352 or 18225) images would have to be exposed on the medium, if squares were used instead of strips. All of these circumstances are important for producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned field because they are capable of limiting the possibility of having a full-parallax 3-D mental image.
In addition to incomplete dimensionality, the composite image has essential limitations in its resolution resulting from the independence of individual holograms from each other. These limitations of composite (multiplex or lenticular) holography are not inherent to classical (conventional) holography (see, e.g., US
4969700). The lateral resolution is limited by a strip size (a lateral size of an individual hologram) denoted beneath as "a", rather than the hologram size as is normally the case for classical holograms. Therefore, the angular resolution determined by the strip size is approximately ~1,/a radians, where ~, is a wavelength of light used for rendering the hologram. This is the minimum angle over which no variations in amplitude occur, in lack of other reasons further limiting it, of course. Thus, the smaller the value of IS

"a" (as in the composite hologram) the larger are the unresolved details or fragments in the obtainable image. However, this is not acceptable for the purposes of visual applications in mentioned fields because of reducing the quality of a 3-D
image to be reproduced due to the loss of fine image details (or small image fragments) displaying the particular peculiarities of the objects) in the computer database.
The analysis made shows that methods and apparatus using the concept based on presenting images of different perspective views to represent a 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects) allow to facilitate combining different 2-D
images in the mind with respect to those using the concept of a sectional representation of the same 3-D virtual space. This comes from improving conditions for a perception of some 3-D characteristics in an obtainable 3-D mental image (in one direction) due to considerable increasing an amount of mutual information pertaining to visually perceived relationships between data stored in images of adjacent perspective views.
But, this is purchased by increasing a redundancy in information to be processed and in an information content of a composite hologram because of representing each of object points in numerous perspective views as well as by creating other problems.
Besides, said circumstances or factors resulting from the employment of the selected concept of a representation of a 3-D virtual space impose definite restrictions upon conditions of using optical and computational techniques and upon conditions for forming a hologram. Therefore, said circumstances or factors are capable to restrict possibilities of improving conditions of the observation and perception of the obtainable 3-D mental image and obtaining high degree of the image resolution or its higher quality as a whole. That is why these circumstances and factors turn out to be important for producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields and should be taken into account when selecting a concept of a representation of a 3-D virtual space for embodying in respective methods and apparatus.
The redundancy in image information may be illustrated by the fact that more than, perhaps, a thousand views should be selected for providing said minimal angular difference between adjacent views that places an unnecessary burden upon the electronic processing system. The same number of exposures (i.e., separate individual holograms) must be made for recording the composite image having, however, the essentially limited resolution and incomplete dimensionality without vertical parallax. Because of that, the task of obtaining the composite image with full parallax seems to be not practicable, as it requires at least one order of magnitude more exposures to be made (see example above with reference to US 5748347) that stretches the dynamic range of the recording medium beyond its limit.
Despite the redundancy in said information the employment of the concept of presenting images of different perspective views fails to compensate the loss of 3-D
aspects in each of these 2-D images. This is a reason that difficulties in the visual work causing weariness and eye fatigue as well as other problems in the observation and perception of the composite image are remained. And this explains the principal difference in viewing 3-D mental image, while seeing, in fact, a set of 2-D
images, and 3-D actual image.
~6 Such redundancy in image information could be reduced when using a further concept based on providing an observer with images of discrete points of light in positions corresponding to coordinates of selected surface points of the objects) in a 3-D virtual space, which allows the observer to view a solid 3-D image.
In one method embodying this further concept, two point sources of coherent light is moved relative to a recording medium according to a predetermined program and various fringe patterns recorded for each of their positions are superimposed upon each other to form a complex hologram (see, e.g., US 3698787). The first point source is moved from position to position in a fixedly disposed surface so as to synthesize separately each particular cross section of the object to be represented, while the second point source is disposed at a fixed position during synthesis of each part of said cross section so as to provide a reference beam Then the first point source repeats its moving on said surface so as to synthesize other particular cross sections of the object (scene), while the second point source being moved along a line transverse to said surface to a different position for each particular cross section.
And so, any given point in a 3-D virtual space containing an object in this particular implementation is represented by only one point on the respective synthesized cross section. An apparatus providing movements of point sources comprises conventional equipment for producing object and reference beams of laser light. An object beam is deflected by two acoustooptic deflector/modulator combinations in response to signals from a programmed electronic control and directed to strike a transparent glass sheet having a diffuse (ground) surface and being disposed to be parallel with a photographic film used as the recording medium. Light striking any point of the diffuse glass surface forms the first point source. A reference beam is converged to a point by a focusing lens to form the second point source moving in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the glass sheet, or along the z-axis of the apparatus.
The intensity of light emanating from point sources is controlled so that corresponds to the intensity of light from the respective of object points represented by those point sources in each of their predetermined positions. In operation, to form a typical hologram the point sources are placed in many, for example 1000 to 10000 different positions, and the photographic film is exposed to light from each of those positions.
If the z ordinate dimension of a desired object are small compared with the smallest distance between the glass sheet diffuse surface and the recording film, a hologram can be formed by moving the first point source substantially on the projection of that object onto the plane of said glass surface.
Hence, this method turns out to be similar to ones used in Display Holography based on sectional representation of a 3-D virtual space containing the objects) in that the individual holograms are superimposed upon each other to form within the recording medium a complex hologram capable when illuminated of simultaneously reproducing images of all object sections recorded thereby. But, in this method an image of each selected point arranged in one respective of object sections has to be recorded separately in contrast to sectional Display Holography where the image of every section (sectional image) is recorded as a whole. And so, apart from problems f7 of mentally transforming sectional images into a meaningful and understandable image, two serious problems associated with reducing image quality and stretching dynamic range capabilities of a holographic recording material have to be solved.
These problems arise usually when using an immense number (I~ of points in such a meaningful 3-D record because of a necessity of sharing photosensitive elements within the recording medium among separate exposures to produce weak individual holograms each having (with equal exposures) only 1/N of the optimum exposure where N may be in the range of 108. The resulting minute fraction of the coherent light available for each pixel in the image has stretched the dynamic range of the recording material beyond its limit (LJS 4498740). Besides, several hours are required to record successively tens of thousands of points, so that the number of selected points is less than 10000 in practice (US 4834476). The achievable point brightness is reduced accordingly, making 3-D image dim and so less expressive and informative. So, taking into account all these circumstances when using this method, serious limitations upon the achievable 3-D image resolution (e.g., by reducing a number of pixels in the image) and/or the object size have to be imposed. But, this is not acceptable for the purposes of applications in mentioned fields due to reducing a quality of a 3-D image and a variety of objects that could be presented for viewing.
The problem concerning dynamic range capabilities is partly solved by other methods embodying the further concept (see US 4498740, 4655539), in which an object (information) beam is focused to a point closely adjacent to the holographic recording medium at a location established according to data representing x, y, z coordinate information of selected surface points. This is carried out by controlling said focal point to be at a predetermined distance from a plane of the recording medium for representing z data points, while directing said information beam across and along the recording medium to its individual areas having their positions representing x and y data points. A reference beam is directed to the recording medium in conjunction and simultaneously with said information beam to form an interference pattern in each of said areas being a small fraction of the total area of the recording medium in contrast to a hologram recorded according to US
3698787.
The size of each area may be controlled also by maintaining a relatively small angle a of diverging radiation directed from said focal point (as a point source) to the recording medium. But at the same time this reduces a field of view, and so it is more preferable to maintain a small distance instead of small angle.
An apparatus for recording a hologram of individual x, y, z data points has two mirrors rotatable at right angles to each other to scan an information beam in x and y coordinates and a movable lens to focus this beam in the z direction.
The focal point may be located closely adjacent in front of the recording medium, behind it, or even within it for certain z coordinate positions. The size of the collimated reference beam is controlled by an iris to have the same size as the information beam in each area. If said area has a size no more than 1/10 medium dimensions, the requirements severely stretching dynamic range capabilities are reduced by 102 with a consequent t8 increase in quality (as proposed). The area reductions may well reach as much as 1:10000 to bring about new holographic capabilities (see US 4498740).
But, this increase in image quality is related to achievable point brightness rather than to an image resolution that on the contrary is decreased with reducing the area size, i.e., the size of independent individual holograms. Actually, when the area size, is "a" in one dimension, the resolution of an image point at a distance R from the hologram is approximately R~./a, where ~, is the wavelength of light rendering the hologram. The smaller the value of "a" the larger are the unresolved details or fragments in the image. This is just the same situation as for a composite hologram where an image resolution is determined by the lateral size of individual holograms (see, US 4969700, US 5793503). Thus, in said method and apparatus embodying the further concept, requirements to dynamic range capabilities of the recording material are in contradiction with requirements to the image resolution, so that dynamic range capabilities are a limiting factor for the achievable image resolution and 3-D
image quality as well. Smaller details that could be provided by increasing the number of image pixels turn out to be redundant in this case, as they do not allow increasing the image resolution limited by the size of individual holograms. But, this limitation is not acceptable for the purposes of visual applications in mentioned fields because of reducing the quality of a 3-D image to be reproduced due to the loss of fine image details (or small image fragments) displaying the particular peculiarities of the objects) in the computer database.
T'he improvements performed according to US 4655539 do not change this situation as they pertain to implementation of structural elements of the apparatus for hologram recording, while retaining the very concept to be unchanged.
Actually, the apparatus has additionally a focusing lens and a diverger element (a diffuser) being adapted to receive an object beam essentially at a point and send a diverging object beam having a fixed shape (or angle a) to a recording medium. An equivalent point source thus formed is progressively moved to scan in z coordinate by moving the diverger element closer to or further from the recording medium. The focusing lens is moved together with the diverger element to maintain a beam focus thereon.
The same scanners are used for scanning the object and reference beams in the x-y plane. An iris adjustably controlling a size of the collimated reference beam is made as a spatial light modulator. The iris contracts and expands synchronously with scanning z coordinate, so that the object and reference beams could be maintained substantially equal in size at the recording medium as the effective distance changes between the equivalent point source and the recording medium.
The analysis of methods and apparatus embodying said further concept shows that recording a multitude of independent individual holograms representing one-dimensional object components (its selected surface points) to synthetically form a complex hologram creates problems pertaining to dynamic range capabilities of the photosensitive recording material and image quality. While recording in small areas of the recording medium to partly avoid said problems imposes serious limitations upon the achievable 3-D image resolution and the object size in the depth direction.
I ~I

Besides, mentally transforming a series of different 2-D images into a 3-D
image of the object requires a complicated visual work, like in sectional Display Holography, for perceiving the image depth and its variability at different perspectives that places a great strain on the human visual system. All of these circumstances seriously limit possibilities of using said methods and apparatus for producing holograms adapted for said visual applications in mentioned fields.
Thus, irrespective of embodiments and purposes of applications of methods and apparatus realizing said concepts, the employment of one- or two-dimensional representations of a 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects) creates problems and limitations in the observation of images of such representations and in the visually perception of relationships between them for their mentally combining into a meaningful and understandable 3-D image. As mentioned above, the most of these problems and Limitations are caused by the loss of 3-D aspects in the image of each of such representations as well as by circumstances and factors resulting from the employment of the respective of said concepts and relating to conditions of using optical and computational techniques and/or conditions for forming a hologram.
The latter is explained by the fact that said circumstances or factors impose restrictions on possibilities of improving conditions of the observation and perception of the 3-D
mental image and/or obtaining higher degree of this image resolution and its higher quality as a whole.
It is worth to emphasize once more that a coherent radiation in said methods and apparatus is used by available optical techniques handled with the computer for presenting images of respective object components only. None of said methods and apparatus provides (or simulates) a variability in an obtainable 3-D mental image, when changing viewpoints, or some other 3-D aspects therein without increasing a redundancy in information to be processed or transmitted for producing a hologram and in an information content of the hologram accordingly.
On the other hand, none of said methods and apparatus realizing any of such concepts employs the very hologram capability to store 3-D image information with preserving its 3-D aspects. The resulting hologram being a representation of the 3-D
virtual space containing the objects) is actually used for recording images of 1-D or 2-D representations exclusively. E.g., the composite hologram as a stereoscopic representation of the 3-D virtual space is exclusively used for recording 2-D
images of numerous perspective views. The similar situation occurs in Display Holography based on presenting 2-D images of sectional object components or images of one-dimensional object components. Thus, said hologram capabilities are incompletely and ineffectively employed.
In contrast to this, all hologram capabilities in preserving 3-D aspects of a image of an object are provided when recording classical (conventional) holograms.
Such a hologram does not require presenting images of one- or two-dimensional object components as intermediate representations and creating an impression (or illusion) of a single 3-D mental image of the object(s). Because such a hologram provides a true image reproduction of the entire object in which an actual 3-D
image is free of said problems and limitations. This is explained by the fact that the actual 3-D image exhibits full parallax by affording an observer a full range of viewpoints of the image from every angle, both horizontal and vertical, and full range of perspectives of the image from every distance from near to far (see US
5592313).
A classical hologram is commonly recorded in the form of a microscopic fringe pattern resulting from an interaction between the reference and object beams within a volume occupied by a film emulsion (photosensitive medium) and from an exposure of its light sensitive elements by a standing interference pattern.
The fringe pattern comprises encoded therein amplitude and phase information about every visible point of an object. When the hologram is properly illuminated said amplitude and phase information is reproduced in free space, thus creating an actual (a true) three-dimensional image of sub-micron detail with superb quality (US 5237433).
In contrast to composite holograms, classical holograms retain all information in the depth direction, and this allows them to have infinite depth of focus.
Moreover, with classical holograms, adjacent portions of the hologram and different views are not independent of each other and related by complex relationships (LJS 5793503).
That is why such a holographic representation of an object (objects) provides significant advantages over its (their) stereoscopic representation. While viewing a holographic stereogram, only an illusion of the 3-D image in the mind is created that requires a complicated and difficult visual work to be made for perceiving the image depth and its variability at different perspectives, as mentioned above.
However, unique characteristics of a classical hologram are based on its capability of storing an enormous amount of image information. The fringes of a typical hologram are very closely spaced providing the resolution of about 1000 to 2000 lines (dots) per millimeter. For instance, a hologram of dimensions 100 mm by 100 mm contains approximately 25 gigabytes of information and can resolve more than 1014 image points. Such an amount of information and processing requirements are far beyond current processing capabilities (see, US 5172251, US 5237433).
This is one of reasons that classical holograms are incompatible with any computer based system and that respective image data recorded thereby is impossible to transmit to remote users, e.g., through global computer networks, including Internet.
To a certain extent, a computer-generated hologram provides preserving 3-D
aspects in an obtainable 3-D image, while being compatible with computer based systems and having an essentially less information content with respect to a classical hologram. This circumstance is explained by the fact that classical holograms carry far more data than a viewer can ever discern. And so, information to be used for producing a computer-generated hologram of an object (objects) may be essentially reduced by eliminating or substantially eliminating unnecessary data. A
capability of preserving some of 3-D aspects in an obtainable 3-D image is provided in respective methods for producing computer-generated holograms due to synthesizing elements of the hologram itself rather than images of object components intended for their further holographic recording as in Display Holography. Diverse concepts have been proposed in Computer Generated Holography for reducing the information content of computer-generated holograms in different ways.
A method described in US 4510575 realizes one of these concepts. According to a program stored in a computer, a hologram of an object is formed from a graphic representation by dividing the total representation into a multiplicity of cells for reducing information to be computed. A large or macro sized image of each cell is created preferably on a fine resolution CRT or other display device and this image is projected on and focused on a recording medium (a photographic plate) ordinarily by a microscope. Stepwise, these cells are individually projected with a precise positional adjustment for each projection until the entire graphic representation is recorded. But, due to interferometric positioning an image of each cell relative to the photographic plate, this method is time consuming. Besides, when rendering such a computer-generated hologram, an image turns out to be not satisfactory in quality (in image resolution). This circumstance is explained by independence of cells from each other and their small size (see hereinabove a description of the similar situation relatively US 4498740).
Other concept pertains to the Art of Computer Aided Holography, and more particularly to methods using a combination of numerical and optical means to generate a hologram of an entire object from its computer model (US 4778262, US
4969700). This model is specified by providing data concerning an illumination of an object and its reflection and transmission properties as well. Both the object and a hologram surface are stored in a computer database. The hologram surface is divided (like in the preceding method) into a plurality of smaller individual grid elements each having a view of the object. Light rays from the object with paths lying along lines extending through each grid element within its field of view are sampled by the computer. Each ray is specified by an intensity (in US 4778262) or amplitude (in US
4969700) fimction. An intensity (amplitude) of each light ray arriving at a given grid element is determined by tracing this ray in the computer from an associated part of the object onto the grid element in accordance with the illumination model. In order to construct a hologram element at each grid element, an associated tree of light rays is physically reproduced using coherent radiation and made to interfere with a coherent reference beam. The entire hologram is finally synthesized by assembling all constituent hologram elements. Since the object is given by the computer model, any image artificial transformations turn out to be possible with current computer graphic techniques such as rotation, scaling, translation, and other manipulations of 3-D data. A flexibility of said image transformations provides significant advantages over classical holograms. Moreover, with a non-physical object, a hologram surface may geometrically be defined in any location (in a virtual space) close to the object or even straddled by it. This is important when making image-plane or focused-image types of holograms to improve their white-light viewing.
Meanwhile, a capability of preserving some of 3-D aspects in the obtainable 3-D image is purchased by increasing essentially a redundancy in information to be processed and in an information content of a computer-generated hologram because 2~

of representing each of object points by numerous constituent hologram elements.
For reducing the information content of the hologram to be synthesized, a sample of light rays from a limited set of object points is selected by the computer to construct each hologram element. Besides, a window for each grid element is introduced, through which light rays is sampled and by means of which the field of view of this grid element is restricted. Each window is partitioned into pixel elements.
For each pixel element the computer applies a visible surface algorithm. Hidden line removals are carried out by any of methods common to computer graphics. Multiple rays striking a single pixel element are averaged to determine that pixel's intensity (or amplitude) value. This procedure is repeated so that each grid element's view of the object is encoded as a pixel map. An intensity (amplitude) distribution pattern across each of windows is then employed in corresponding methods as a 2-D
intermediate representation to form its respective hologram element, either optically or by further computer processing (see US 4778262, US 4969700 and US 5194971).
In one of these methods, specifically, a camera is used to make transparency for each window, one for every grid element. This transparency is then employed to physically reproduce in light said selected sample of rays associated with each grid element by spatial modulating a coherent light beam transmitted therethrough.
Other embodiment of this method provides for using a high resolution electro-optical device in place of transparencies (like in Display Holography). The electro-optical window which is pixel addressable by the computer modulates coherent light transmitted through each pixel element according to intensity (amplitude) value associated with it. This allows each hologram element to be created as soon as computed data becomes available for the electro-optical device.
But, despite the limitation of the set of object points and the restriction of the selected sample of light rays said procedure remains to be too expensive of computer processing time. Computation problems in this method are caused by a necessity of performing an extremely large amount of intermediate calculations for creating an intensity (amplitude) distribution pattern across the window for every individual grid element of a hologram surface. Actually, at least five data arrays should be used that relate to: small areas dividing an object surface; light rays emanating from each said area when object illuminating; an intensity (or amplitude) function of each light ray (gray scale information) and its direction; pixel elements of each window defining a field of view of the respective grid element; and viewpoints for carrying out hidden line removals for each pixel element. Thus, circumstances relating to the preliminary creation of 2-D intermediate representations cause relevant problems and limitations due to a necessity of having a large amount of time for producing them (e.g., in the form of transparencies) or time for computing and processing these patterns and time for updating SLMs, displays or other electro-optical devices. In embodiments where these patterns are precomputed a sufficiently large memory for storing data processing is required. And so, these circumstances are similar to that discussed hereinabove in relation to methods described in US 3832027 and US 5748347.
~3 Moreover, a multiple control of the direction of each light ray is required for physically reproducing said sample of light rays with coherent radiation. This circumstance is explained by incapability of said 2-D intermediate representations to preserve directions of light rays due to a loss of 3-D aspects by each representation.
The implementation of such a control causes a further increase in the amount of both computation time and information for updating said electro-optical devices (SLMs, displays and so forth).
Besides, a number of said grid elements is too large because their sizes should be small enough to meet high resolution requirements of a fringe-form hologram interference pattern being approximately of 1000 to 2000 dots per millimeter.
This makes using accordingly a great number of said 2-D intermediate representations for providing such requirements. But, said resolution requirements are not necessary when using holograms for visual applications in mentioned fields, as nothing beyond the resolution of unaided eye will be needed in this case. That is why such resolution requirements are redundant for these applications, being in fact a limiting factor in this method that places an excess burden upon the electronic processing system.
Hence, on the one hand, said circumstances relating to conditions of using a combination of numerical and optical means and conditions for forming a hologram turn out to be inevitable, as they are a result of embodying the selected concept of synthesizing a hologram itself of holographic elements in this particular method for providing such a holographic representation of the object(s). On the other hand, said circumstances relating to conditions for forming the hologram create unfavorable conditions for using numerical means because of a redundancy in information to be processed and in an information content of the computer-generated hologram.
Such a redundancy is arisen from both a representation of each object point by numerous hologram elements and high resolution requirements in conditions for forming a hologram. And so, this is a reason that an amount of information to be processed and the information content of the computer-generated hologram is increased so that this method failed to provide presenting 3-D image with complete dimensionality.
Thus, unfavorable conditions in using numerical means require imposing a restriction upon utilizing the hologram capability of preserving 3-D aspects in the obtainable image.
Some embodiments of this method disclosed by US 4778262 and US 4969700 provide for creating holograms without vertical parallax. The holographic plane is partitioned into vertical strips instead of grid elements. An elimination of vertical parallax permits further reducing the information content of the hologram and computation problems. Producing image-plane composite holograms retaining parallax only in the horizontal direction is also provided in other embodiments of this method disclosed by US 5194971. The removal of vertical parallax restricts, however, a field of view and creates a definite inconvenience for viewing an image because the viewer is prohibited from seeing over or under the image. In other words, with the viewer at a fixed point, relative positions of details or fragments of the image in the vertical direction do not change with changes in vertical position of the hologram (see also the analysis hereinabove in relation to US 5748347).
2y In addition to incomplete dimensionality, a circumstance pertaining to using too small grid elements in this method results in a poorly resolved image. In other words, an image resolution turns out to be limited by a size of grid elements due to independence between them. Hence, this circumstance is similar to that discussed hereinbefore in relation to methods disclosed by US 4498740, US 5748347. But, the employment of far smaller hologram surface grid elements, as compared with individual holograms used in the latter methods, results in respective increasing in size the unresolved details in the image and elements in the pixel map as well. And so, this circumstance imposes a severe restriction on possibilities of obtaining higher degree of the image resolution or its higher quality as a whole. Because of this restriction, computation problems in this method are reduced, as there is no need to specify the object in the virtual space better than the resolution limit determined by the grid element size. But, this circumstance causes creating a crude hologram providing reproduction of a 3-D image with blurring due to a loss of high frequency components in an intensity (amplitude) distribution of diffraction light. And so, with this restriction, an observer is prohibited from viewing fine image details (or small image fragments) displaying the particular peculiarities of the object represented in a computer database. Thus, the purposes of this method turn out to be in contradiction with the purposes of visual applications in mentioned fields in relation of preserving vertical parallax in an obtainable 3-D image and increasing the image resolution. In other words, when taken into account all circumstances and factors discussed, this method turns out to be not coordinated for such visual applications as it fails to improve conditions of the observation and perception of the obtainable 3-D
image and provide high degree of the image resolution or its higher quality as a whole.
This situation is not improved in other methods disclosed by US 5237433, US
5475511 and US 5793503. Embodiments of these other methods provide for diverse transformations which allow computer data (representing an entire 3-D object scene and its illumination in a virtual space) to be converted into the required elemental views (which hologram surface elements, called elemental areas as well, see through respective windows). Some embodiments of these other methods provide collecting a multiplicity of conventional views of the object scene, instead of selecting said sample of light rays. These views are transformed into images of arrays of window pixels defining elemental views so that an image of each array of window pixels is used for creating a hologram element in a respective elemental area. A
completed hologram is then formed from hologram elements. Said conventional views may be computer-generated image data or, e.g., video views of a physical object, which being collected from different perspectives by means of a video camera. These other methods retain the most of computation problems of the previous method because of using the same concept of synthesizing a hologram itself of holographic elements.
For reducing an amount of both computation time and information to be update, some embodiments of these methods provide for constructing a composite hologram lacking vertical parallax. Vertical parallax is deleted from the computer-generated object when a variety of vertical views are not collected, and because of that the procedure is simplified. For instance, if the conventional views are collected from positions along a straight line or on an arc of a circle instead of collecting views from points on spherical surface for the object having full parallax.
However, the employment of conventional views removes 3-D aspects of the reproducible image from a holographic record because a 3-D object is represented in this case only by a number of 2-D images when reconstructing a hologram. In other words, presenting the 3-D actual image (with incomplete dimensionality) to a viewer is substituted in this case by creating an impression or illusion of the 3-D
image in the mind. As being quite clear from above discussions (see, e.g., those in relation to US 5748347), this circumstance means that in addition to incomplete dimensionality and the essential limitation of its resolution this image has problems and limitations in its observation and perception like the composite image in Display Holography.
Therefore, conditions of using computational means turn out to be unfavorable for preserving 3-D aspects of a reproducible 3-D image and providing high degree of an image resolution due to a redundancy in both the representation of each object point by hologram elements and in the resolution requirements to conditions for forming a computer-generated hologram. But, at the same time a capability of this hologram to preserve 3-D characteristics and other 3-D aspects in the obtainable 3-D image becomes unclaimed and ineffectively employed. Because of these circumstance and factors, said 3-D characteristics and a higher image quality as a whole are sacrificed in these other methods due to a necessity of reducing computation problems and the information content of the hologram. But, this is not acceptable for the purposes of said visual applications in mentioned fields.
The similar situation takes place in Computer Generated Holography where data processing means are used for computing an appropriate diffraction pattern to generate the desired hologram representing an entire object in a virtual space. For example, a holographic display system and related method described in US

provide for, first, not computing vertical parallax in a hologram. This permits to minimize its information content by several orders of magnitude. Second, the field of view is limited to 15 degrees. This relates to at least two standard eye spacing that should be sufficient for one viewer to readily see an image. Larger field of view requires much more information content. Third, the resolution of the image is decreased to the limit of resolution of the data. These three limitations make the information content of the hologram manageable. Besides, an extremely complex and costly electronic apparatus being inaccessible to a common user should be used as data processing means. The optical means (acousto-optic modulator) is employed in said display system for realizing said diffraction pattern to produce a 3-D
image.
This image is comprised of distinct luminous points defining surfaces that exhibit occlusion effects to aid a viewer in perceiving depth of the holographic image.
In the interference computation type Computer Generated Holography, where phase information relating to an entire object image is recorded in the interference fringe form, phase errors can be minimized that leads to an enhancement of image quality. But, an amount of computations is essentially increased because the phase and amplitude of signals that would arrive at each point on a recording surface from each point of an object are calculated. A computer-assisted hologram recording apparatus (see US 5347375) may be the particular illustration of this circumstance.
A diffraction pattern computation is repeatedly executed with respect to each of sampling points representing the 3-D object. Such a computation is carried out with a lower sampling density of about 10 dots per millimeter. The computed diffraction pattern data is stored in the intermediate page memory and then subjected to an interpolation process for increasing the sampling density to provide a high resolution necessary for the interference fringe pattern. The interference fringe pattern between the interpolated diffraction pattern and reference light is computed thereafter by converting amplitude and phase distributions into the intensity distribution and is recorded on a previously selected recording medium by means of a mufti-beams scan printer with a resolution of approximately 1000 to 3000 dots per millimeter.
The employment of the interpolation process in said apparatus makes it possible to enhance computation efficiency without lowering the image quality in the hologram.
But, because of an enormous amount of computations that must be performed due to said resolution requirements of the fringe-form hologram interference pattern, it is time consuming to create a hologram in such a way even with high speed computing apparatus. In addition, extra large-capacity memories are necessary to execute the computation for such amount of information that increases unwantedly the scale of the hologram recording system. This makes almost impossible the accomplishment of a high-speed computation process with the use of a smaller computer system.
The analysis made shows that methods and apparatus using concepts based on first synthesizing with a computer a hologram itself of holographic elements in order to represent a 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects) and then viewing a 3-D image of the objects) by reconstructing the hologram allow to facilitate a visual work to be made for perceiving the image depth and image variability at different perspectives with respect to those using in Display Holography. This comes from a capability of a computer-generated hologram produced by the respective of methods and apparatus in Computer Aided Holography or in true Computer Generated Holography to preserve some of 3-D aspects in an obtainable actual 3-D image.
But, circumstances (or factors) resulting from the employment of the selected concept and relating to conditions of forming the hologram restrict utilizing this capability, namely, only for the 3-D image with incomplete dimensionality without vertical parallax and vertical 3-D characteristics defining this image variability. In particular, this is explained by increasing considerably an amount of calculations and, hence, a computer processing time due to a redundancy in the representation of each object point by numerous constituent hologram elements and in the resolution requirements in conditions for forming the computer-generated hologram, when producing this hologram for visual applications. And because of this redundancy an extremely large amount of image information is contained in a computer-generated hologram.
An extremely large amount of intermediate computations made for creating a plurality of 2-D intensity (amplitude) distribution patterns, 2-D images or other 2-D

intermediate representations is another reason that makes the methods and apparatus using said concepts more expensive both in computer processing time and in the amount of calculations. Intermediate representations are used for constructing small hologram elements in Computer Aided Holography or for obtaining diffraction pattern data at each of small areas on the recording surface with respect to every of selected object points in true Computer Generated Holography. Thus, circumstances relating to said intermediate computations and conditions for forming the computer-generated hologram are responsible for creating said unfavorable conditions of using computational means (or processing techniques) and for imposing said restriction upon utilizing the hologram capability of preserving 3-D aspects in the obtainable image, and for removing 3-D aspects from a holographic record in some cases.
And so, conditions of forming the computer-generated hologram are not coordinated with conditions of using computational means in methods and apparatus embodying said concepts, when producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields. Due to an excess burden upon the electronic processing system said hologram capability is ineffectively employed or unclaimed in methods and apparatus in true Computer Generated Holography and Computer Aided Holography.
Further, irrespective of embodiments and purposes of applications of methods and apparatus for producing computer-generated holograms, unfavorable conditions of using computational means (or processing techniques) require imposing a severe limitation on an image resolution as well as eliminating vertical parallax and vertical 3-D characteristics in the obtainable 3-D image. But, this is not acceptable for the purposes of visual applications in mentioned fields due to deteriorating conditions of the observation and perception of the 3-D image. In particular, this is explained by that a viewer is prohibited from viewing fine image details or small image fragments displaying particular peculiarities of the object represented in a computer database and from viewing a variability in relative positions of these details or fragments in the vertical direction. Thus, because of an extremely large amount of information to be processed and an information content of a computer-generated hologram caused, e.g., by high resolution requirements of a fringe-form hologram interference pattern, these possibilities for improving conditions of the observation and perception of the 3-D image are not accomplished in these methods and apparatus. Moreover, they are in contradiction with purposes of these methods and apparatus.
One more example that conditions for forming computer-generated holograms turn out to be in contradiction with purposes of said visual applications in mentioned fields is provided in US 3547510 disclosing a holographic image system and method employing narrow strip holograms. The image is created by producing a composite of identical vertically aligned strips, or by providing a single strip with vertical movement. The resultant reconstructed image has horizontal 3-D characteristics and parallax. But, vertical 3-D characteristics and parallax are sacrificed to reduce image information that must be transmitted for producing a hologram by this image system and method. Otherwise, because an amount of image information in a computer-generated hologram is quite large as compared with a conventional 2-D image, transmitting corresponding image signals would require a respective system having a bandwidth four order of magnitude larger than that of a 2-D image transmission system. This requirement is beyond the capability of conventional input and output systems. Hence, capabilities of the latter systems turn out to be not coordinated with conditions for forming a computer-generated hologram to have vertical parallax as well as horizontal parallax. That is why, for producing a hologram adapted for said visual applications, it is important that (functional) capabilities of computational, transmission and optical means (or techniques) would be proper coordinated with conditions of using said means.
For further reducing said computation problems and an information content of a hologram, a noticeable trend in Computer Generated Holography provides for an employment of concepts based on presenting 2-D images of perspective views of an object or images of different object components rather than presenting a 3-D
image of an entire object as in Computer Aided Holography and true Computer Generated Holography. A hologram being a respective representation of a 3-D virtual space containing the objects) is electronically expressed.
A method and apparatus described in US 5483364 carry out one of the latter concepts that provides calculating a phase distribution relating to a holographic stereogram with respect to sampling points of 2-D images obtained by seeing an object represented by 3-D computer data from a number of viewpoints. By setting different sampling density, an amount of the phase calculation can be reduced without substantially deteriorating an object image quality. A part having a feature such as edge part of the object or a part of a high contrast difference is sampled at a high resolution, corresponding to the resolution limit of the human eyes, so that sampling points of that part are set at fine intervals (1/60 degree). While a smooth part of a small contrast is sampled at a low resolution and so sampling points in such non-feature part of the object are set at coarse intervals (1/30 degree).
Thereby, a total number of sampling points used in the calculation is reduced as a whole.
Besides, for points of a non-feature part, phase distributions are discretely calculated so as to cause a blur in the reproduced image, thereby enabling a continuous plane to be displayed even when using the coarse intervals between them. Those points can be seen as if it were a plane. On the other hand, the resolution of human eyes varies depending on conditions such as observation distance, nature of the image, and so forth. Because of this circumstance, a coarse resolution is set for those sampling points that is far from the observer. Further, a part which is seen as a dark part for human eyes is not sampled at all. Therefore, by changing the sampling interval the phase calculation amount can be decreased. Calculated phase distributions are expressed by a display device such as a liquid crystal device or the like which can change an amplitude or a phase of the light.
Inventions disclosed by US 5436740, US 5754317 provide transformations of an intensity distribution of diffraction light expressing a stereoscopic image, which enabling drive system of the display device for visually reproducing the stereoscopic image to be simplified. It has been suggested that the employment of a conventional ~9 computer-generated 2-D holographic stereogram permit using simple methods of the calculation by means of a computer.
Electro-optical holographic display integrated with solid-state electronics for sensing data and computing a hologram is provided in US 5581378. Computation of a holographic fringe pattern is decomposed into two parts. The first part is based on using standard computer graphic techniques to produce a series of 2-D
projections identical to that used by the holographic stereogram approach. These calculations must be re-computed in detail for every picture. The second part utilizes wavefront interference calculations based on a diffusion screen at a fixed position relative to the display device. Thus, although the second part calculations are time consuming, they need be done only once per device geometry. The results of the second part type calculations can be encoded in tables and generator functions, thereby enabling fast computation of a holographic fringe pattern. In a simplified version the display will operate in a horizontal parallax mode in a manner similar to the lenticular photographic or multiple hologram approach.
Embodiments of other of the latter concepts may be exemplified by a method described in US 5400155. For reducing the information content of the hologram and calculation amount by decreasing the resolution, a plurality of slice planes which are parallel with the horizontal plane are set in the virtual space containing an object represented by a set of micro polygons. Line segments which intersect the polygons are obtained for every slice plane. Sampling points are set to each line segment with an interval determined on the basis of a resolution of the human eyes at which an array of said sampling points could be seen as a continuous line. A 1-D phase distribution on the hologram surface is calculated for every sampling point, and the calculated 1-D hologram phase distributions are added for every slice plane.
The employment of similar 2-D representations (a plurality of depth images) is provided in a hologram forming method disclosed by US 5852504 (see also US
5570208, US 5644414 and US 5717509). 3-D data representing an object in a virtual space is divided in the depth direction to produce depth images, thereby a plurality of 3-D regions (zones) being set. In each region (zone) a 2-D plane parallel with a hologram forming surface is set. The hologram forming surface is divided into small areas (called "minimum units") in a matrix manner. 3-D data relating to each zone including the respective part of the object, when it is seen by setting a visual point to the assigned areas (unit), is converted into the plane pixel data of the 2-D
plane. By overlapping data obtained for every depth image of each zone, a synthesized 2-D
image data can be obtained. The hidden area process is executed so that hidden parts of the object do not appear on the respective 2-D plane. Said small area size is set to about 1 mm or less in each of vertical and horizontal directions. A phase distribution as the hologram forming surface is calculated from depth images and displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like as an electronic hologram.
However, the employment of these concepts result in removing 3-D aspects of a reproducible image from a holographic record, so that a capability of the hologram to preserve 3-D characteristics and other 3-D aspects is unclaimed at all in respective methods and apparatus. That is why, when using the latter, problems and limitations or difficulties in the observation and visually perception of an image are similar to those in methods and apparatus relating to sectional Display Holography or Display Holography based on presenting images of perspective views and embodying the same concept of the representation of a 3-D virtual space containing an object. Thus, the lack of 3-D aspects in the holographic record places an excess burden upon the electronic processing system due to increasing a redundancy in information to be processed and in the information content of the hologram. Such a redundancy may be caused by providing, e.g., a variability in 2-D images when changing viewpoints, or some other 3-D aspects therein, and the elimination of the plainly visible rear side in the 3-D image thus obtained (see above in relation to US 5592313). Whereas such a redundancy in the information content of the composite hologram is caused by representing each of object points in numerous perspective views (see US
5748347).
Further, the lack of 3-D aspects deteriorates conditions of the observation and perception of the 3-D image due to problems discussed hereinabove with respect to methods using in Display Holography. For instance, while viewing the composite hologram, only an illusion or impression of a 3-D image in the mind is created. This requires a complicated and difficult visual work to be made for perceiving the image depth and its variability at different perspectives, because a 3-D object is represented in this case only by a number of 2-D images when reconstructing the hologram and 3-D aspects in each of such representations are lost. Such work places an additional strain on the human visual system causing weariness and eye fatigue in contrast to viewing the actual 3-D image having 3-D aspects therein.
Similar to that in Display Holography, conditions for forming a hologram are not coordinated with conditions of using computational means in methods and apparatus embodying the latter concepts in Computer Generated Holography, since they are determined by circumstances or factors resulting from the employment of the selected concept of a representation of a 3-D virtual space. But, unlike to that in Display Holography unfavorable conditions in using computational means according the latter concepts in Computer Generated Holography require far more redundant image information to be processed due to high resolution requirements to conditions for forming a computer-generated hologram. This is explained by a large number of said small areas of the hologram forming surface (see, e.g., US 5852504) as well as selected points in the object. And so, much more 2-D intermediate representations (for instance, a number of depth images) are required to calculate the resulting phase distribution to be expressed. Therefore, it is time consuming to generate a hologram in this manner even when performing all computations in parallel at an increased processing speed. Actually, for simple computer-generated holograms, about 106 points are used in the computations, whereas high quality holograms of complex objects, however, require up to 109 points (see US 3832027). But, in contrast to the methods embodying the latter concepts in Computer Generated Holography, the representation of selected object points in 2-D object view images in Display Holography requires far less resolution than in a computed interference pattern to be recorded or printed. That is why, these methods seem to be impracticable, since an amount of computer time to compute 2-D views used in Display Holography to form a composite hologram is much less than computer time to calculate this hologram itself (see US 3832027).
Besides, these methods embodying the latter concepts in Computer Generated Holography provide for expressing a phase distribution electronically by means of a space light modulator (SLM) such as a liquid crystal display. Such device are also used, for example, in the method described in US 5119214 and intended for optical information processing by displaying the computer-generated hologram. An electric voltage applied to each of SLM pixels is controlled according to data associated with computer-generated hologram so as to modulate spatially the transmittance or the reflectance of pixels.
It is quite clear that SLM pixels should be as small as possible so that they will not be easily visible to the viewer. However, for expressing a phase distribution accurately and obtaining a clear reconstruction of the image, it is necessary to reduce the liquid crystal cell to a size on the order of the wavelength. Generally, about 1000 lines (or dots) per millimeter is necessary as a resolution of such a display.
Therefore, the size of pixels has to be determined on the basis of such a resolution (see, e.g., US 5400155, US 5852504). But, these requirements are far beyond the current capabilities of liquid crystal displays or other devices on their basis. And so, the size of pixels of the available devices is a limiting factor in these methods as it causes creating a crude hologram providing reproduction of the 3-D image with blurring due to the loss of high frequency components in the intensity distribution of diffraction light. Hence, this is not acceptable for the purposes of visual applications in mentioned fields.
That is why, it is important for producing holograms adapted for said visual applications that functional characteristics (or capabilities) of optical means (such as liquid crystal displays) would be proper coordinated with requirements to conditions for forming a hologram for providing a higher image resolution or its higher quality as a whole, and with capabilities of computational means (or techniques). The last circumstance is caused by an excess amount of calculations associated with said 2-D
intermediate representations and so requires a large amount of time for computing and processing 2-D images and time for updating SLMs (or displays) that is so another limiting factor in these methods.
The analysis made shows that diverse concepts of a representation of a 3-D
virtual space containing an object (or objects) have been proposed in methods and apparatus in the Related Art to provide reproducing (or presenting) many kinds of images to be observed and affording an observer (a viewer) different conditions for an observation and perception of a 3-D image of the objects) thus obtained.
But, while selecting a concept, circumstances and factors resulting from its employment and relating to all required conditions of using computational, optical, transmission means (or techniques) and conditions for forming a hologram should be taken into account irrespective of embodiments and purposes of applications of methods and 3~

apparatus realizing the concept to be selected. This is caused by the fact that said circumstances and/or factors are capable to restrict possibilities of improving conditions of the observation of the obtainable 3-D image and/or facilitating its perception, and/or obtaining high degree of an image resolution or its higher quality as a whole, and/or transmitting (or communicating) proper data relating to images of representations or the very hologram representing the object(s). That is why all these circumstances and factors are important for producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields. Moreover, such restrictions come about every time said conditions of using computational, optical, transmission means (or techniques) and conditions for forming a hologram are not proper coordinated with respect to each other and with purposes of said visual applications as well. Because all of said conditions turn out to be interrelated, as resulting from the employment of the same concept. Thereby, when one of said means are in unfavorable conditions, being often beyond its capabilities, other of said means (or hologram capabilities) turns out to be incompletely and ineffectively employed. But when so, this implies, on the other hand, to be due to an incoordination or even contradiction within the concept itself with respect to purposes of said visual applications. As a result, severe limitations on an image dimensionality and/or image resolution, and/or other characteristics of the obtainable 3-D image as well as upon conditions of the observation and perception of this 3-D image are imposed. That is why, the availability of such uncoordinated conditions are not acceptable for the purposes of visual applications in mentioned fields to say nothing of methods and apparatus where purposes are in contradiction with the latter ones.
Meanwhile, none of said concepts provides all of necessary conditions to be proper coordinated or even taken into account in known methods and apparatus, and with respect to conditions of using computational means and conditions for forming a hologram especially.
Thus, because of such uncoordinated conditions, none of known methods and apparatus provides (or simulates) 3-D aspects in the obtainable 3-D image without increasing a redundancy in information to be processed or transmitted for producing a hologram and/or in an information content of the hologram. In particular, such a redundancy in information and/or in the information content of the hologram comes from a necessity of representing each of object points from numerous viewpoints in sectional Display Holography or in Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques for providing a variability in each of sectional images and eliminating a plainly visible rear side in a 3-D image thus obtained (see US 5592313 and US 5227898, or US 4669812 and US 5907312);
- computing and processing a great deal of 2-D images of different perspective views of an object as intermediate representations to provide presenting disparate images to an observer, as in respective Display Holography (see US 5748347);
-representing each of object points in numerous constituent hologram elements when calculating 2-D intensity (or amplitude) distribution patterns across windows used as intermediate representations to form respective hologram elements in Computer Aided Holography (see hereinabove, e.g., in relation to US 4778262, US
4969700);
- performing a large amount of intermediate computations for previously obtaining diffraction pattern data at each of small areas on a recording surface with respect to every selected object point when calculating an intensity distribution of diffraction light in true Computer Generated Holography (see hereinabove, e.g., US
5347375).
Such redundancy in information not only places an unnecessary burden on an electronic processing system and creates computation problems, but is often a reason that functional characteristics or current capabilities of computational, transmission, optical means (techniques) become limiting factors in known methods and apparatus such as:
- a time period of updating the CRT once for each sectional component at respective positions of the moving flat screen to meet flicker fusion rate requirements in Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques (see hereinabove US 5907312);
- a large amount of time for computing and processing 2-D images and time for updating screens, LCLVs, SLMs, displays or other means for projecting or displaying these images, or a large memory for storing data preliminarily processed in sectional Display Holography or in Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques (see hereinabove US 5592313, US 5227898 or US 5117296 respectively);
- a minimal angular difference between adjacent perspective views to meet the requirement of providing disparate images in respective Display Holography (see hereinabove US 3832027 and US 5748347);
- a large amount of time for producing intensity (or amplitude) distribution patterns as 2-D intermediate representations or time for computing and processing them and time for updating SLMs, displays or other electro-optical devices; or a sufficiently large memory for storing data processing for embodiments where these patterns are precomputed - in Display Holography based on presenting images of perspective views (see above US 3832027, US 5748347) and in Computer Aided Holography (see hereinabove US 4778262 and US 4969700);
- a size of small grid elements in Computer Aided Holography or a size of small areas of the hologram forming surface in Computer Generated Holography to meet high resolution requirements of a fringe-form hologram interference pattern (see hereinabove US 5347375 and US 5852504).
Moreover, such redundancy in information and computation problems are the reason of selecting concepts presenting to a viewer a number of 2-D images when rendering the hologram for creating an impression or illusion of a 3-D image in the viewer's mind, rather than a 3-D actual image. Although mentally transforming images into a meaningful and understandable 3-D image requires a complicated and difficult visual work and deteriorates conditions of the observation and perception of 3-D image due to problems associated with the lack of 3-D aspects, or limitations in image dimensionality and in image resolution and discussed hereinabove in relation to methods using in 3-D Imaging Techniques, different types of Display Holography or Computer Generated Holography (see, e.g., US 5907312, US 5117296, US
5592313, US 5227898, US 5748347, US 4498740, US 4778262 and US 5852504).
On the other hand, none of known methods and apparatus embodying any of said concepts utilizes the very hologram capability of preserving 3-D aspects in the obtainable 3-D image for reducing said redundancy in information to be processed and/or in the information content of the hologram or for facilitating said visual work and/or improving conditions of the observation and perception of this 3-D
image.
On the contrary, the achievable image resolution and 3-D image quality as a whole is frequently limited in known methods and apparatus because of requirements to the conditions for forming the hologram, for instance, such as:
- each of individual holograms in the composite hologram should be quite narrow to provide that each eye of the viewer sees the image through a different individual hologram (see above US 3832027, US 5748347);
- a size of each independent individual holograms should be small enough to meet requirements to dynamic range capabilities of the recording material (US
4498740);
- a size of grid elements in Computer Aided Holography should be small enough to meet high resolution requirements of a fringe-form hologram interference pattern (see hereinabove US 4778262 and US 4969700).
Besides, said capability of the hologram to preserve 3-D characteristics and other 3-D aspects in the obtainable 3-D image is unclaimed at all in methods and apparatus in true Computer Generated Holography (see above, e.g., US 5852504).
Therefore, the analysis made of diverse methods and apparatus in Related Art shows that most of problems and limitations (or restrictions) pertaining to visual applications of holograms in mentioned fields are anyway associated with selected concepts of the representation of the 3-D virtual space containing the object(s). None of known concepts is capable of providing all conditions of using computational and optical means (or techniques), transmission or other means when employed, as well as conditions for forming a hologram to be coordinated or proper coordinated with respect to each other and with the purposes of said visual applications in mentioned fields. So, it is highly desirable to apply a nontraditional approach to a development of concepts to provide not only an appropriate presentation of an object (or objects) in the real world, but also such a coordination of all these conditions by taking into account a lot of circumstances or factors concerned. Hence, this approach requires searching a way said problems of the prior art to be solved and limitations (or restrictions) to be overcome as well as selecting what is to be specified in a virtual space and what is to be presented to an observer (viewer) when producing holograms adapted for visual applications in all aspects mentioned above as well as in capabilities of communicating (or transmitting) respective data for such purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an important object of the present invention to provide a complex of basic concepts to be employed in computer-assisted methods and apparatus for forming holograms that enables to solve (or avoid) principal problems (or difficulties) of the 3s prior art and overcome main limitations (or restrictions) inherent to the prior art for producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields in all aspects discussed hereinabove. Said concepts to be selected into the complex relate essentially to:
- a representation of a 3-D virtual space containing an object (or objects);
- conditions of using computational and/or transmission means and optical means (techniques) being in a proper cooperation with each other for forming a hologram;
- conditions for forming a hologram (holograms).
It is another important object of the present invention to provide the complex with such concepts that permit carrying out a coordination of conditions of using computational (as well as transmission means, if employed) and optical means (or techniques) in methods and apparatus embodying these concepts in order to avoid a redundancy in information to be processed or transmitted for producing a hologram and/or in an information content of the hologram, and because of that to avoid an unnecessary burden on an electronic processing system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide the complex with such concepts that permit carrying out a coordination of said conditions so that the very hologram capability of preserving 3-D characteristics and other required aspects in the optical image to be produced could be employed more completely and effectively, and, thereby, enable reducing additionally the burden upon the electronic processing system as well as computation problems in order to create, hence, more favorable conditions of using computational means.
It is still another important object of the present invention to provide a computer-assisted method and apparatus for forming a hologram (or holograms) that embodies the proposed complex of such concepts for attaining purposes of said visual applications in mentioned fields and, thereby, for improving conditions of an observation and perception of a 3-D optical image to be produced and obtaining high degree of an image resolution or its higher quality as a whole.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide the complex with a new concept, which pertains to a representation of the 3-D virtual space containing the objects) and is based on an employment of a specific representation relating to each of object components specified in the virtual space and allowing 3-D
aspects in each of such representations to be retained in contrast to that in the prior art, when using 1-D and 2-D representations.
It is yet further object of the present invention to provide a computer-assisted method and apparatus for forming a hologram (or holograms), which embodies the new concept of said representation together with other concepts of the complex for reducing a strain on the human visual system, while viewing a 3-D image produced, as well as for avoiding said problems and difficulties associated with the observation and perception of images of 1-D and 2-D representations in the prior art, where 3-D
aspects in each of them being lost.
3~

It is still further object of the present invention to provide a computer-assisted method and apparatus for forming a hologram (holograms), which embodies the new concept of said representation together with other concepts of the complex to enable producing an actual three-dimensional optical image of the entire object or its part and thereby facilitating a visual work to be made for perceiving an image depth and variability at different perspectives as compared with that to be made for creating an impression or illusion of a 3-D image in the viewer's mind according to the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the complex with a new concept that relates to conditions of using optical means (or techniques) and is based on retaining 3-D aspects in specific representations only optically and individually, for each of object components, while using respective data in the computer database directly without calculating, processing and employing any of 2-D intermediate representations or carrying out any intermediate computations, like in the prior art, that enable recreating or providing some of 3-D aspects with computational means.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide the complex with said new concepts to enable carrying out a proper coordination of said conditions so that computational means would not be used for performing functions or operations that can be better performed by other means (and/or the hologram itself). In other words, said conditions should be so that computational means could be used only for what they do best: for storing data relating to object components, respectively selecting this data and handling or controlling said optical means (or techniques) in accordance with selected data for purposes mentioned above or for transmitting (or communicating) selected data to remote users for such purposes.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a computer-assisted method and apparatus for forming a hologram (or holograms), which embodies said new concepts together with other concepts of the complex to permit reducing with respect to the prior art an amount of calculations for producing the holograms) as well as computer processing time and/or memory for storing data processing.
This is highly important when on-line communication or transmission of respective data to remote users is desirable.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a computer-assisted method and apparatus for forming a hologram (or holograms), which embodies the proposed complex of such concepts for carrying out the proper coordination of said conditions so as to overcome limitations in an image dimensionality and restrictions in an image resolution, like those associated with size of individual holograms in the prior art, and permits, thereby, reproducing image details like a classical hologram.
These and other objects and advantages are attained in accordance with the present invention that provides a computer-assisted hologram forming method and apparatus. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for forming a hologram that can be illuminated to produce a three-dimensional optical image of an object, comprising the steps of providing a computer database with three-dimensional data representing the object composed of local components, each local component being specifiable in a three-dimensional virtual space with respect to a reference system by at least its position and its optical characteristics associated with an individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation extending from that local object component in its respective spatial direction and in its respective solid angle, selecting data relating to each of a representative sample of local object components having its associated individual directional radiation lying within an assigned field of view of the three-dimensional optical image to be produced, physically reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each of said sample of local object components using a first coherent radiation beam and transforming this beam in a coordinate system by varying parameters of at least one part thereof to be used in accordance with selected data, individual directional radiation thus reproduced being arisen from a local region and revealing itself individuality and definite spatial specificity in its optical parameters in the assigned field of view to provide appearing three-dimensional aspects in the optical image to be produced, establishing the local region of arising thus reproduced individual directional radiation with respect to said coordinate system to be at a location coordinated with the position of its associated local object component in the virtual space and directing said reproduced individual directional radiation onto a corresponding area of a recording medium, holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation using a second radiation beam coherent with first radiation, adjusting parameters of the second radiation beam with respect to the coordinate system in accordance with selected data and directing a reference beam thus produced onto the area of the recording medium along with said reproduced individual directional radiation so as to form in this area a hologram portion storing said reproduced individual directional radiation and preserving thereby its individuality and definite spatial specificity in its optical parameters in the assigned field of view, a respective spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation stored in said hologram portion being, therefore, a three-dimensional representation of optical characteristics of its associated local object component as well as the position of this component in the virtual space, and integrating hologram portions by at least partial superimposing some of them upon each other within said recording medium for forming together a superimposed hologram capable when illuminated to render simultaneously said respective spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation stored in all of hologram portions thereby producing an actual three-dimensional optical image of at least a part of the object, such an image having a complete dimensionality and exhibiting all required three-dimensional aspects preserved due to storing said three-dimensional representations in the superimposed hologram.
The essence of the present invention is based on an inventor's interpretation of problems of the prior art and on a conception of a necessity of a coordination of conditions of using computational means (and transmission means, if employed) and optical means (or techniques), and conditions for forming a hologram between each other when producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields.
That is why, none of known concepts of diverse representations of a 3-D
virtual space containing an object could be used, and a nontraditional approach is required to propose a complex of concepts including a new concept of such representation for providing the coordination of said conditions in a proper manner and selecting what is to be specified in a 3-D virtual space for such purposes.
Said new concept is based, according to the present invention, on employing spatial optical characteristics of object components (rather than images thereof as in the prior art) for simulating optical properties of an object in the 3-D
virtual space.
Such characteristics should be related to each local object component for simulating particular peculiarities in optical properties of fine object details or small fragments of any surface area of an object so as they being presented to an observer, when viewing in the real world. Further, such optical characteristics should be specified individually for each of local object components for representing individuality and definite spatial specificity in optical properties of each corresponding of object details or each corresponding of surface areas of the object, when viewing thereof from different points in the assigned field of view. This is only some of reasons, due to which spatial optical characteristics of each local object component specified in the computer database are represented in the virtual space, according to the present invention, by individual directional radiation extending from that object component in its respective spatial direction and in its respective solid angle. Thus, such unique specific representation of said optical characteristics of that local object component is associated, in fact, with an individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation. But, the principal reason of employing such unique specific representation is associated with a possibility of retaining individuality and definite spatial specificity of said optical characteristics in the assigned field of view when reproducing individual directional radiation in the real world by using capabilities of available optical means (or techniques). Because of that, the proposed complex of concepts is provided with a new concept relating to conditions of using optical means (or techniques) and being based on retaining only optically and individually 3-D aspects in each of such specific representations and, thereby, individuality and definite spatial specificity of optical characteristics of each local object component.
The reproduced individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation should be recorded holographically for preserving, thereby, its individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view in a respective portion of a hologram to be formed. That is why, a respective individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation stored in said hologram portion is a 3-D representation of spatial optical characteristics of that local object component and provides, thereby, appearing 3-D aspects in the optical image to be produced. All 3-D representations are stored in respective hologram portions of a superimposed hologram capable, therefore, when illuminated to render simultaneously a variety of actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation each revealing itself individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view. Thus, an actual three-dimensional optical image composed of rendered distributions of individual directional radiation, each displaying independently particular peculiarities in spatial optical properties of one corresponding of object details or one corresponding of surface areas of the object, is presented to the observer. As a result, the actual 3-D optical image thus produced has a complete dimensionality and exhibits all required 3-D aspects, when viewing thereof from different viewpoints in the assigned field of view.
Optical retaining individuality and definite spatial specificity of said optical characteristics in reproduced individual directional radiation is accomplished due to capabilities of optical means (or techniques) to perform diverse transformations of coherent radiation. The transformation of each reproduced individual directional radiation is accomplished so that its optical parameters, such as its respective spatial direction and its respective solid angle, turn out to be coordinated with optical characteristics of its associated local object component specified in the virtual space.
Such individual retaining said individuality and definite spatial specificity of optical characteristics of each object component in respective reproduced individual directional radiation imparts required 3-D aspects to the latter and permits, thereby, independently preserve said particular peculiarities in spatial optical properties of said object detail (or surface area of the object) in the respective hologram portion.
Therefore, the very hologram capability of preserving 3-D characteristics and other required 3-D aspects in the optical image to be produced turns out to be employed more completely and effectively than in the prior art.
The fact that 3-D aspects in rendered distributions of individual directional radiation are preserved due to using such unique specific representations proposed, said capabilities of optical means (or techniques) and the very hologram capability as well is a crucial factor resulting from the employment of the entire complex of such concepts. That is why, computer-assisted methods and apparatus embodying proposed concepts for forming holograms permit carrying out a coordination of said conditions in such a manner to provide attaining significant advantages over those used in the prior art.
Actually, there is no a necessity, when embodying such concepts, to recreate 3-D aspects by using computational means, e.g., by providing a variability in each of sectional images to be viewed from different viewpoints to improve perceiving mental images, as it's done in Display Holography or in Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques (see US 5592313 and US 5227898, or US 4669812 and US 5907312).
Besides, there is no a necessity as well to provide said 3-D aspects by computing and processing a great deal of 2-D images of different perspective views of the object to be holographically recorded directly, or by employing their intermediate representations previously produced thereto, for presenting disparate images to the observer, as it is done in respective Display Holography (see, e.g., US
5748347), or 2-D intensity (or amplitude) distribution patterns across the windows for forming hologram elements in Computer Aided Holography (see US 4778262, US 4969700).

These both circumstances are explained by the fact of preserving said 3-D
aspects in each of said 3-D representations stored in respective hologram portions in contrast to that in the prior art when using 1-D and 2-D representations.
Further, the last circumstance is explained also by using respective data in the computer database directly for reproducing individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation by optical means (techniques), without calculating, processing and employing any of 2-D intermediate representations or carrying out any intermediate computations. Because of that, an amount of calculations for producing a hologram as well as computer processing time and/or memory for storing data processing can be greatly reduced with respect to that in the prior art. On the other hand, a redundancy in information to be processed or transmitted for producing the hologram that is associated with recreating or providing some of 3-D aspects with computational means in the prior art can be avoided, while computation problems (like those in US 5237433, US 5475511, US 5793503) can be reduced.
Furthermore, due to employing the proposed concept of using capabilities of optical means (or techniques) and the very hologram capability as well, individuality and definite spatial specificity of said optical characteristics of each local object component in the assigned field of view are retained individually and independently in the respective individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation stored as their 3-D representation in said hologram portion. That is why, the employment of these concepts together with the proposed new concept of said representation permits avoiding any redundancy in information to be processed or transmitted for producing a hologram and/or in an information content of the hologram and thus avoiding an unnecessary burden on the electronic processing system. Such results of the employment of the proposed complex of said concepts are very important and provide significant advantages of computer-assisted methods and apparatus embodying thereof over those ones employing computational means for recreating or providing anyway 3-D aspects in the 3-D image produced. Said advantages are associated, in fact, with creating more favorable conditions of using computational means for forming holograms than in the prior art.
These favorable conditions are expressed in that computational means can not be used for performing functions or operations that can be better performed by other means (or the hologram itself) used according to the proposed complex of concepts.
This is unlike to that in the prior art where, e.g., computational means are used for creating and expressing a hologram electronically in the form of a phase distribution like in Computer Generated Holography, and the large amount of redundant image information is to be processed due to high resolution requirements to conditions for forming a computer-generated hologram (see, e.g., US 5852504). In other words, said favorable conditions turns out to be so that computational means can thus be used only for what they do best: for storing data relating to local object components specifiable in the 3-D virtual space, selecting respectively this data and handling or controlling said optical means (or techniques) in accordance with selected data to '-I I

reproduce said specific representations of optical characteristics of local object components for their holographic recording.
The possibility of the coordination of said conditions in such a proper manner is a very important result of employing the proposed complex of such concepts.
That is why, released capabilities of computational means can be used more effectively for the purposes of said visual applications. Namely, for improving conditions of the observation and perception of a 3-D optical image to be produced and obtaining high degree of an image resolution or its higher quality as a whole, or for transmitting (communicating) selected data to remote users for such purposes. In particular, the number of local object components specified in the virtual space could be increased to provide smaller object details and increase therefore the optical image resolution.
Accordingly, fine image details (or small image fragments) displaying particular peculiarities of the object, e.g., such as delicate features, perhaps, important for the observer, can be presented thereto. Moreover, such an increase in the achievable 3-D
image resolution is not limited by sizes of individual hologram portions, in contrast to that in the composite image (see, e.g., US 5748347, US 4969700) or in the image composed of images of discrete points of light to be presented to the observer (see US 4498740). This comes from the fact that, generally, sizes of hologram portions in the present invention are not so small as those ones in the quoted methods. On the contrary, the sizes of hologram portions are changed in a wide range depending on optical characteristics and positions of local components specified for the particular object, the assumed location of its optical image with respect to a recording medium and on other circumstances. That is why, there are no limitations for reproducing image details like a classical hologram by computer-assisted methods and apparatus embodying the proposed complex of concepts. Furthermore, there are no redundant requirements such as resolution requirements of a fringe-form interference pattern in Computer Aided Holography and Computer Generated Holography for producing holograms adapted for visual applications in mentioned fields. Hence, such an image resolution can be accomplished by proper specifying data relating to spatial optical characteristics and positions of local object components in the 3-D virtual space, as exemplified above, and taking into account that nothing beyond the resolution of unaided eye is needed when presenting fine image details to the observer.
Thus, the discussed coordination of conditions of using computational means, optical means (or techniques) and conditions for forming holograms in proposed computer-assisted method and apparatus permits, due to avoiding any redundancy in information to be processed, to overcome limitations (or restrictions) in a 3-D image dimensionality and in image resolution with respect to the prior art. In particular, those restrictions associated with size of individual holograms like in Composite Holography (multiplex or lenticular) or Display Holography and with said resolution requirements in Computer Aided Holography and Computer Generated Holography are avoided as mentioned above.
Besides, inasmuch as each specific representation, according to the proposed complex of concepts, is reproduced individually and completely by optical means 4~

(techniques) in the form of a respective spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation, only information relating to optical parameters of individual directional radiation to be reproduced is required for handling or controlling optical means (or techniques). In other words, according to the present invention, only such control data should be transmitted (or communicated) by transmission means to the remote users as proper data to form hologram portions of a superimposed hologram.
This result is unlike to that in the prior art where information relating to 2-D images of respective representations or the hologram itself is required for producing the hologram (see, e.g., US 5227898 or US 357510). And so, this is an important result of employing the proposed complex of concepts in computer-assisted methods and apparatus to reduce, thereby, considerably an amount of information to be processed or transmitted for producing a hologram. This result not only permits to overcome limitations of the prior art in the image resolution and 3-D image dimensionality, but also provides said and other significant advantages, when on-line communication or transmission of proper data to remote users is desirable to produce the superimposed hologram.
It is to be noted that said unique specific representations provide complete and exhaustive 3-D information about an object due to the fact that individual directional radiation associated with each of local object components represents fully its spatial optical characteristics. Whereas the latter are merely a simulation of actual radiation scattered, reflected, refracted, transmitted, radiated or otherwise directed toward an observer by one respective of fine details or by one respective of small fragments of one of surface area of the particular object or its part observable in the real world.
That is why, the 3-D optical image produced according to the present invention can be perceived by the viewer as the actual 3-D optical image in the real world.
There is so a definite advantage in representing an object in the 3-D virtual space by said spatial optical characteristics of its local components, rather than by images of such or whatever other components, as in the prior art.
One more important result of employing the proposed complex of concepts in computer-assisted methods and apparatus is associated with selecting what is to be presented to an observer (viewer) in order to produce holograms adapted for visual applications. According to the present invention, this is a variety of actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation stored in all of hologram portions as 3-D representations of spatial optical characteristics of object components and rendered simultaneously when illuminating the hologram. This is in contrast to the prior art where a great deal of images of 1-D and 2-D
representations of respective object components or different perspective views of the object are presented to the observer and where 3-D aspects is lost in each of such image.
While 3-D representations preserve themselves all required 3-D aspects of an actual optical image to be produced and so facilitate a visual work to be made for perceiving an image depth and its variability at different perspectives as compared with that to be made for creating an impression or illusion of a 3-D image in the observer's mind, according to the prior art.
~l 3 Actually, each actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation reveals itself individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view, as mentioned above. So, for instance, said image variability is appeared itself, when simply changing viewpoints. That is why, the actual optical image composed of rendered distributions of individual directional radiation exhibits all required 3-D aspects and has horizontal and vertical parallax, i.e., a complete dimensionality. And so, the 3-D actual image that is similar to natural vision can be achieved. Because of that, the strain on the human visual system is considerably reduced as compared with the prior art, while problems and difficulties associated with viewing said images of 1-D and 2-D representations or images of perspective views are avoided. Said problems mean, for example, those ones associated with the complicated visual work required for integrating sectional images in the mind into the meaningful and understandable 3-D image, which places the great strain on the human visual system. Whereas said difficulties mean, e.g., those associated with hard conditions for viewing a composite image having the mismatch in its position that places the strain on the human visual system causing weariness and eye fatigue, as mentioned above. These examples specifically explains the principal difference between viewing 3-D mental image, while seeing, in fact, a set of 2-D images, and viewing a 3-D actual image produced according to the present invention.
Thus, computer-assisted methods and apparatus embodying the complex of proposed concepts permit presenting to the viewer said variety of actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation stored as 3-D
representations of spatial optical characteristics of local object components, rather than images of these components, and thereby have said significant advantages over those presenting images of said 1-D and 2-D representations of the 3-D virtual space containing the object (see, US 5907312, US 5117296, US 5592313, US 5227898, US 3832027, US 5748347, US 4498740).
Meanwhile individuality of each specific representation does not prevent from reproducing independently and simultaneously in groups respective spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation for their holographic recording.
This permits to overcome problems pertaining to dynamic range capabilities of the photosensitive recording material, if it is necessary, e.g., to form the hologram of a complex object. And so, this results in attaining serious advantages over those methods in the prior art where dynamic range capabilities are a limiting factor for an achievable image resolution or a 3-D image quality and, in particular, over those presenting the image composed of images of discrete points of light to the observer (see, e.g., US 3698787 and US 4498740).
Apart from this, the definite advantage of proposed computer-assisted method and apparatus is the possibility of using available optical means (or techniques) for reproducing said spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation independently and simultaneously in respective groups, e.g., such as described in US
5907312. Said optical means, as mentioned above, are composed of a large number of pixels each having a plurality of diffraction elements (elementary holograms) for diffracting light in different predetermined directions and comprise also means for enlarging a laser beam in size and means for spatially modulating the intensity of transmitted light (like a liquid crystal panel) to illuminate each pixel.
However, the method of employing said optical means fails to preserve 3-D aspects, as they being lost in each of sectional images presented to the viewer, and so uses computational means for their recreation, as discussed hereinabove.
The analysis made of the essence of the present invention shows that the proposed complex of concepts providing said significant advantages over the prior art is realized in the proposed computer-assisted method by the following distinctive features (along with other essential features that are claimed in the claims enclosed):
- employing spatial optical characteristics of object components for simulating optical properties of an object in a 3-D virtual space;
- specifying such optical characteristics individually for each local object component for representing individuality and definite spatial specificity in optical properties of each corresponding of object details or each corresponding of surface areas of the object when viewing thereof from different points in the assigned field of view;
representing said optical characteristics of each local object component in the virtual space by individual directional radiation extending from that local object component in its respective spatial direction and in its respective solid angle; such unique specific representation of said optical characteristics of that local object component being associated with an individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation;
- selecting data to be used directly to provide reproducing said individual directional radiation in the real world;
- physically reproducing in light said individual directional radiation by optical means (or techniques) in accordance with selected data for retaining individually and optically said individuality and definite spatial specificity of optical characteristics of each local object component in the assigned field of view;
- recording said reproduced individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation holographically for its storing in a respective hologram portion to be a 3-D representation of said optical characteristics of its associated local object component and preserving thereby its individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view;
- integrating hologram portions by at least partial superimposing some of them upon each other within the recording medium to form together a superimposed hologram and thereby integrating said 3-D representations stored in all hologram portions, the superimposed hologram capable when illuminated to present a variety of actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation rendered simultaneously and thus combined into an actual 3-D optical image having a complete dimensionality and exhibiting all required 3-D aspects.
These distinctive features are essential for preserving 3-D aspects in each of representations and thus for displaying independently particular peculiarities in spatial optical properties of one corresponding of object details or surface areas of ~S

the object when viewing said 3-D optical image from different viewpoints. This fact confirms the unity of the present invention.
Further objects, advantages, and features of the present invention, which are defined by the appended claims, will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG.1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of specifying spatial optical characteristics of local object components for a representation of an object in 3-D virtual space.
FIG.2 shows a diagrammatic view of one variant of using constituent distributions for the presentation of an individual distribution of directional radiation.
FIG.3 shows a diagrammatic view of another variant of using constituent distributions for the presentation of an individual distribution of directional radiation.
FIG.4 is a schematic illustration of a procedure for reproducing individual directional radiation according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS is a schematic illustration of a procedure for recording individual directional radiation reproduced according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.4.
FIGS.6-8 show different structures of a computer-assisted apparatus for forming a hologram according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.9 is a general view of a computer-assisted apparatus for forming a hologram according to first and second preferable embodiments of the present invention.
FIG.10 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus shown in FIG.9 and illustration of its using for reproducing and recording individual distributions of directional radiation as well as an explanatory scheme of their rendering to compose an actual 3-D
image.
FIG.11 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus according to the second preferable embodiment of the present invention and illustration of its using for reproducing and recording individual distributions of directional radiation as well as an explanatory scheme of their rendering to compose an actual 3-D optical image.
FIGS. 12 - 14 show schematic views of different modifications in the structure of optical means for transforming a first coherent radiation beam for the apparatus according to the second preferable embodiment of the invention.
FIGS.13 -14 are schematic views of FIG.15 shows a view of DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The process of forming a hologram by directly using 3-D data representing an object composed of a plurality of components in a computer database is referred to in this disclosure as a procedure performed independently for each of the components. In this procedure, each of local object components is specified in virtual space by at least its position and its spatial optical characteristics having a ~6 unique specific representation in the form of individual directional radiation extending from that local object component in its respective spatial direction and in its respective solid angle. An individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation is reproduced in light in the real world for optically retaining individuality and definite spatial specificity of said optical characteristics in the assigned field of view. Individual directional radiation reproduced is thereafter holographically recorded and, hence, stored in a respective hologram portion as a 3-D representation of optical characteristics of its associated local object component.
Individuality and definite spatial specificity of optical characteristics thereby preserved provide cue appearance of 3-D aspects in an optical image produced by rendering simultaneously respective actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation stored as 3-D representations in all hologram portions when illuminating the hologram. Such a procedure, with respect to one of the local object components, the procedure being a subject of this disclosure of one embodiment of the present invention, is described in detail with reference to FIG.1.
The object 1 is shown schematically as a pyramid 10 with a flat plate 11 attached thereto near its base. Optical properties of small surface elements (or fragments) disposed at edges or on faces of the pyramid 10, or on the surface of the plate 11 (e.g., such as one denoted by 12) and illuminated by light 13 from a source 14 are simulated by spatial optical characteristics of radiation reflected (or scattered) therefrom. Because of that, said optical characteristics are represented by respective individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation extending from such surface elements, like those symbolically depicted by 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively (shown by dashed lines). Spatial optical characteristics and positions of surface elements are specified in virtual space with respect to a reference system associated with the object 1 and represented by X, Y and Z
axes shown in the inset into FIG.1, where Z axis is oriented in the depth direction. Thus, a typical surface element 12 is specified by its coordinates (x, y, z) in this reference system and its associated individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation 18 extending from the element 12 in a spatial direction of its maximum and in its respective solid angle. This spatial direction is shown by a vector 19 and determined by angles y~X and yly between vector 19 and planes XY
and YZ accordingly. Whereas this solid angle is specified by angular width eyrX
and ey~Y
of said distribution of directional radiation 18 in directions parallel to X
and Y axes respectively. The width eyrX (or nyiy) of said distribution is determined at a level of, e.g., 0.5 the radiation intensity (or 0.7 the radiation amplitude) of the maximum and depicted as an angle between vectors (not marked in FIG.1) traced from the position of element 12 to opposite points of distribution 18 that are arranged at said level (shown by a dashed line) along said direction parallel to X (or Y) axis.
Intensity functions of directional radiation having wavelengths in the red, green or blue ranges of the visible spectrum are given as an explanation in the reference to said distribution of directional radiation 18. Thus, individuality and definite spatial specificity of optical characteristics of element 12 in the assigned field of view may be represented by optical parameters ylX, y~Y and eyX, ey~Y as well as by a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value at the maximum of said distribution of individual directional radiation 18 and coordinates (x, y, z) of element 12. This is so, of course, if a form of said distribution is previously determined and approximated, e.g., by a Gaussian curve. Further, if the form of said distribution turns out to be close to that of the distribution of radiation reproducible by the available optical means (or techniques) in the real world, as it does indeed, nothing more than these parameters is required for reproducing said distribution of directional radiation 18 by the optical means. In other words, there is no necessity to use for such a purpose all data relating to the whole distribution itself. So, the feasibility of handling or controlling said optical means (or techniques) for such a purpose, i.e., using only these optical parameters of individual directional radiation 18 as control data, becomes clearer.
Furthermore, any of the known ways can be employed to provide the computer database with such control data for each and every surface element (or fragment) used for representing an object. Said parameters may be calculated in a master controller or graphics processor from available distributions using methods (or mathematical algorithms) common for such processing, or may be set into the computer manually using a suitable computer program, or be obtained from a local or global computer network. That is why the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of said surface elements (or respective fragments of any surface area of the object) can be completely and exhaustively specified in virtual space with respect to the reference system by appropriate characteristics of one respective directivity pattern. A directivity pattern is specified in spatial polar coordinates originating normally from the position of extending (emerging) radiation to be simulated or approximated in such a way. Because of that, each directivity pattern has its origin at a position of the respective local object component and also has characteristics including an angular width, a spatial direction of its maximum and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction as well. Such a presentation can be applied to spatial optical characteristics of all said surface elements, or like local object components, relating to the entire object, or to those of a representative sample of local object components relating to any object part desirable to be presented. Said part of the object includes each of surface areas thereof that are visible from at least one of the segments of the assigned field of view. For example, such part of object 1 shown in FIG.1 may include two visible faces of the pyramid (one more example see below in FIG.2).
Meanwhile, the present invention permits employing another presentation of the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of at least said sample of local object components in virtual space with respect to said reference system by selecting a respective bundle of multitudinous rays. Each ray is specifiable by an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation and one of different directions pre-established for said rays and lies within a solid angle of the local object component's individual distribution ~t 8 of directional radiation, and is oriented along this direction so as if all of rays emanate from its associated local object component. Some of said rays are represented by vectors (not marked in FIG.1 ) traced from the position of element 12 to different points of distribution 18. Such a presentation seems to be similar to that employed in the volumetrical scanning type 3-D display disclosed by US
5907312.
But, a bundle of rays presented by each screen pixel in this display is selected during the process of moving the flat screen and intended for reproducing an image of the respective point in one of the separate depth plane images to be presented to the observer in the field of view at a precise moment of this process. In contrast, the bundle of rays in the present invention is specified by respective data in the computer database in advance and intended for reproducing the respective distribution of directional radiation to be recorded holographically in the respective hologram portion. Thus stored, the bundle of rays is rendered to produce the actual individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation itself revealing individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view.
Bundles of rays associated with optical characteristics of all local object components are presented simultaneously to the viewer when illuminating the hologram.
Therefore, with respect to the prior art such a presentation provides definite advantages described generally hereinabove. On the other hand, if compared with the former presentation using the directivity pattern, it turns out to be more expensive in the amount of information and in processing time because of the multitudinous number of rays to be employed.
Spatial optical characteristics of small surface elements (or fragments) arranged on each of the faces of pyramid 10 are specified by similar individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation, like those depicted by 16 (or 17). This enables one to represent particular peculiarities in optical properties of each corresponding surface area of the object (such as, e.g., faces of pyramid 10) when viewing from different viewpoints in the assigned field of view. Hence, local object components arranged on each of such surface areas could be combined in one of the groups as having optical characteristics specifiable by similar characteristics of directivity patterns in virtual space. Namely, each directivity pattern has the same angular width and the same spatial direction of its maximum for any local object component in the same group. These characteristics should be selected to provide for representing peculiarities in optical properties of said surface area of the object.
Evidently, these characteristics depend as well on the position of such area in the object, its orientation with respect to the light source, like source 14. For representing said peculiarities in optical properties more realistically, e.g., by smoothing transitions between individual distributions of directional radiation (like those depicted by 16), characteristics of directivity patterns in virtual space are selected so as to provide partial overlapping of individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with some (for example, adjacent) of the local object components in the same group.

Meanwhile, when using at least two such groups, each of the directivity patterns relating to optical characteristics of local object components in one of the groups has its characteristics different in the angular width and/or in the spatial direction of its maximum from characteristics of any of the directivity patterns relating to optical characteristics of local object components in other groups, like one of the items 16 differs from any of 17. So, individuality and definite spatial specificity in optical properties of each corresponding surface area of the object (like one of the faces of pyramid 10), when viewing it from different viewpoints in the assigned field of view, can be represented in characteristics of directivity patterns relating to local object components of the respective group. This is highly important, because characteristics of directivity patterns can be transmitted (or communicated), e.g., to remote users, as control data for forming portions of the superimposed hologram. That is why, an amount of information to be processed or transmitted for producing such a hologram can be considerably reduced, as mentioned hereinabove.
It is to be noted that object 1 is described by way of the explanation only, it is not intended that the present invention be limited thereto. In other words, an object of any configuration, simple or complicated, of any shape, flat or deep in the depth direction, and of any composition with constituent parts having different orientations and arrangement and being composed of different types of local object components can be represented, according to the present invention (like one shown in FIGS
2, 3).
The entire object or any its part, or separate details of a composition represented as the object, or any other detail thereof can be composed, for example, of fine details or respective fragments (or the like local object components) arranged in the virtual space.
Further, the present invention has no special requirements to the shape of local object components because the 3-D optical image to be presented to the observer is composed of its associated individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation rather than images of such components, as in the prior art. That is why, diverse sets of 3-D data relating to different computer models can be adapted to the format appropriate for representing the object according to the present invention. Thus, a plurality of surface points specified by their coordinates (see US
4498740) or a set of micro polygons (see US 5400155) could be suitable for such purpose. In the latter case, coordinates of the center of gravity of each micro polygon can be used to determine a position of one of such local object components.
Furthermore, the size of each local object component can be varied depending upon the complexity of the particular object and purposes of its representation. Thus, it can be established to be not exceeding that determined by the resolution limit of the unaided eyes. This condition is conventional for the prior art and can be applied for specifying (or selecting) data representing fragments of any surface area in the computer database. Meanwhile, any fragment could contain several surface points. If so, optical characteristics and a position of such fragment are specified in virtual space with respect to said reference system as being averaged accordingly over all of said surface points. The conventional condition can also be employed for specifying SO

a number of local object components to be selected. This implies selecting data with a sampling density not below its value determined by the resolution limit of unaided eyes. Such a condition is usually used to remove the visually perceivable discontinuities that, otherwise, could prevent clear observation of the 3-D
optical image produced and create discomfort for the observer. It is employed, e.g.
for selecting data (like those associated with 16 in FIG.1) relating to local object components arranged on each face of pyramid 10. Such a conventional condition is applied, unless the discontinuity between local object components is used to represent peculiarities in optical properties of the particular object. The same condition could be used if data representing the object composed of local components is intended for further transformations in the computer database to perform size scaling of this object in virtual space. Namely, after proportional changing of the positions of local object components in virtual space with respect to said reference system, their resulting positions are established to provide a distance between any two adjacent local object components that do not exceed such a distance as determined by the resolution limit of the unaided eyes. These examples indicate that, in general, the present invention has no peculiarities with respect to the prior art in features relating to the shape and size of local object components. Only their positions and spatial optical characteristics expressed by said unique specific representations themselves are essential for representing an object.
On the other hand, a possibility of using diverse presentations of the individual distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of the local object components and said conventional conditions demonstrates a flexibility of the proposed computer-assisted method and apparatus in specifying data representing any object in a computer database and in performing diverse modifications of this data for the purposes of visual applications in the mentioned fields. This is confirmed once more by the fact that the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of at least a number of local object components in the computer database can be specified in virtual space as being composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation.
Such as those symbolically designated in FIG.2 by 20, 21 and 22 (shown by solid lines). Each of the constituent distributions 20, 21 and 22 originates from its associated local object component 23, extends in a direction of its maximum shown by the respective vector (not labelled in FIG.2) and, thus, is oriented in said reference system along a different line. This line lies within a solid angle specified for its respective individual distribution of directional radiation as a whole (depicted as 24 by dashed line). Such presentation of the individual distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of said local object components provides a flexibility of diverse modifications of its shape and, therefore, a possibility of representing particular peculiarities in optical properties of each corresponding fine object detail or in optical characteristics of each corresponding separate surface fragment of the object. An angular width, a spatial ~I

direction of maximum and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction of each constituent distribution as well as their number can be changed differently to achieve these purposes. So, when using such a presentation, the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation can be specified in virtual space by appropriate characteristics of directivity patterns relating each to one of said constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation (e.g., depicted by 20, 21 and 22) associated with the respective (such as denoted by 23) said local object component. Each directivity pattern has an origin at a position of this local object component and characteristics including an angular width, a spatial direction of maximum oriented along the respective line of that constituent distribution (e.g., depicted by 21) and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction. For representing said particular peculiarities more realistically, e.g., by smoothing transitions between constituent distributions of directional radiation (like those depicted by 20, 21, 22), these distributions are specified with partial overlapping in virtual space. A more effective result is obtained when this is carried out for at least some of said local object components.
Said presentation can be used, for example, in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein data representing the object in the computer database is divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction to be parallel with the reference plane of said reference system (similarly to depth planes P~_1, P~, P~+i depicted in FIG.2). To this reason, said number of local object components means those of the representative sample thereof that are arranged in one section.
This may be useful for representing flat or shallow (in the depth direction) objects.
If the use of at least two sections is required, said characteristics of the directivity pattern relating to each constituent distribution are specified so as to take into account that some of the fine details or respective fragments of any surface area of the object (or other local object components) arranged in one section may obscure details or fragments arranged in another section which are behind the former ones. This procedure can be carried out in a similar way to the well known hidden line and hidden surface area removal process by controlling the visibility of any given detail on any section from each of a plurality of viewpoints in the assigned field of view.
Another embodiment of the invention provides for also specifying the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation (such as depicted by 25) associated with optical characteristics of each (like 26) of at least a set of local object components in virtual space as being composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation. But, in contrast to the previous presentation, each constituent distribution (not designated in FIG.2 for simplicity) originates from its respective separate spot (like one of those denoted by symbols j+,, j+i, j+3 , j+4) located on a different line, extending in a direction of its maximum shown by the respective vector (depicted by dash-and-dot lines) and, thereby, is oriented along this line in said reference system. Said line lies within a solid angle specified for its respective individual distribution of directional radiation as a whole (shown by 25) and extends through its associated local object component S~

(denoted by point 26). Each spot can be located generally at any position along its respective line. It is preferable, however, that separate spots of origin of all constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with the respective of such local object components specified in the computer database are located in one depth plane, each at a point of intersection of its respective line and the same plane (e.g., denoted by symbol P~+1). This turns out to be more suitable for reproducing individual directional radiation associated with such local object components, and so said depth plane is called a representative plane for such individual directional radiation. To carry out such a presentation, a plurality of depth planes is used in the virtual space containing the object (like denoted by 2 in FIG.2) and disposed therein in the depth direction to be parallel with a reference plane of said reference system. Each of these depth planes (like those denoted by symbols P~_,, P~, P~+, or others depicted in FIG.2) disposed at different distances from the reference plane (such as XOY) may be selected as the representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with any of such local object components. However, for more effective employment of such individual directional radiation, when being reproduced, it is expedient to select that of depth planes, in which this local object component is arranged itself (like 26 in the plane P~), or which being the nearest one to this local object component in the depth direction (such as denoted by symbol P~_~ or P~+,). Such a presentation indicates clearly that the present invention allows for composing the individual directional radiation from constituent distributions formed independently and originating from any position in the virtual space inside or outside of the object (like those pointed out by symbols j+,, j+i, j+3 and j+4 or by symbols j_,, j_2, j_3 and j~
respectively). This is very important since the individual directional radiation associated with each of such local object components arranged in a zone nearby the representative plane (like one of the zones depicted in FIG.3) could be reproduced without any mechanical movement of optical means (or techniques). Hence, capabilities of these means can be used more effectively as compared with those in the prior art where each of the depth plane images is reproduced separately (see, US
5907312). Besides, when viewing the reproduced individual directional radiation from different viewpoints in any of the segments of the assigned field of view (such as denoted in FIG.2 by points 27, brackets 28 and symbolical curve 29 respectively), the radiation itself reveals its individuality and definite spatial specificity. Thus, its variability appearsd when simply changing viewpoints in said field of view.
Evidently, this comes about due to specifying such individual directional radiation with a respective spatial direction and respective solid angle. Meanwhile, if any of such local object components is arranged itself in the representative plane (like 26 in the plane P~) for its associated individual directional radiation (like 25), the position of said point of intersection corresponds to the position of this local object component itself in said representative plane (P~ in FIG.2).
The above presentation of the individual directional radiation in virtual space is considered to be preferable and described below in detail with the reference to the drawing in FIG.3. It is most useful when data representing the object (like object 2) in the computer database is divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in virtual space in the depth direction along the Z-axis of the reference system. While the virtual space has a plurality of depth planes (like those denoted by symbols P,, P2 and P3) disposed therein in the depth direction they should as well be parallel with a reference plane (XOY, in this case) of said reference system. The zones are established so as to provide the placement in each of them one of the depth planes to be used as a representative plane (like, e.g., P~) for individual directional radiation (such as depicted by 30) associated with each of such local object components arranged in the respective zone (like that denoted by 31 in Zone 1 ). To this end, said set of local object components means those of the representative sample thereof that are arranged in one zone. This may be useful for representing objects having a reduced size in the depth direction. Each of the representative planes can be disposed in any position within its respective zone, e.g., in the middle thereof as designated in FIG.3. All constituent distributions (like depicted by 32, 33, 34 and 35) composing the respective individual distributions of directional radiation (such as depicted by 30 and others not labeled) associated with such local object components arranged in one of the zones (like denoted by 31, 36, 37, 38, and others not labeled in Zone 1) can originate from different positions on the representative plane (P~ in Zone 1) both inside and outside of the object 2. Said positions are shown by bold spots in the representative planes (P~, P2 and P3 in Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3 respectively). But, some of them relating to different individual distributions of directional radiation (like depicted by 30 and 39) can originate from closely spaced or even the same positions (such as labeled respectively by symbols j~,, j,2, ji3 and jia and by symbols j2,, j,land jlz on the plane P,). This further improves the effectiveness of using capabilities of available optical means (or techniques) and permits reproduction of such constituent distributions simultaneously.
Meanwhile, each individual distribution of directional radiation (like 30) when reproduced in such a way appears to be emanating from a location coordinated with the position of its associated local object component (like 31) in virtual space, rather than from said spots in the 2-D representative plain. That is why, an actual 3-D optical image of the respective zone (Zone 1) is produced that exhibits a natural perception of an object's depth and other 3-D aspects, rather than the sectional image as in the prior art. And so, the difference becomes clearer in the employment of the representative plane and the 2-D projecting plane specified in the method disclosed by US 5852504 and discussed above. In this method, 3-D data representing an object in virtual space is also divided into 3-D regions (zones) in the depth direction, and each zone has a 2-D
plane parallel with a hologram forming surface. But, these planes are used for presenting depth images of the object.
While illustrative embodiments of the present invention relating to the diverse employment of the unique specific representation of said optical characteristics of each local object component have been described above, it is, of course, understood that various further modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the S '~

art. Thus, there are no restrictions, when using such a representation, in establishing positions of local object components (and, hence, the assumed location of the optical image) with respect to a surface of the recording medium in virtual space, like those in US 5475511 and US 5793503. In other words, this surface may be disposed in any position with respect to the object in virtual space and the reference plane, and may, in particular, pass through the object. So, image-plane or focused-image types of holograms can be formed to provide for viewing an optical image under white light illumination without the elimination of vertical parallax therein. This is very important for improving conditions of white-light viewing and has a definite advantage when compared to the prior art.
The present invention permits diverse embodiments of physically reproducing said individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each of a representative sample of local object components to be used. One of them is based on reproducing the individual directional radiation as a whole. This embodiment provide for transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of at least one part thereof to be used for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters such as a solid angle, a spatial direction and an intensity (or amplitude) in this direction. Different variants of changing these optical parameters with respect to the coordinate system in the real world can be used to adequately display (and, therefore, represent) in them data relating to optical characteristics of any of said sample of local object components in the computer database and provide directional radiation thus reproduced to arise from a local region. Said data may be presented, for example, by appropriate characteristics of the respective directivity pattern. Particular values of said optical parameters of thus reproduced directional radiation are established so as to be coordinated with selected data relating to optical characteristics of the respective local object component.
In one of said variants a first coherent radiation beam is transformed itself by varying parameters thereof for reproducing said directional radiation having variable optical parameters. The steps of this variant are illustrated with reference to FIG.4.
The coordinate system established in real space is associated with the recording medium and represented by X~, Y~ and Z~ axes shown at the top right hand corner in FIG.4. The Z~ axis is oriented in the depth direction perpendicularly to the flat surface of the medium (not shown in FIG.4). The first coherent radiation beam 40 is controlled in the intensity of its radiation and oriented in said coordinate system to be along the axis 41 of an optical focusing system 42 represented by the lens having a fixed focal length. Beam 40 having the size dx and dY in directions parallel to X
and Y~ axes respectively is transformed by adjusting these sizes that become Dx and DY in said directions. The thus transformed beam 43 is shifted as a whole, while retaining its axis 44 to be parallel with respect to axis 41 of optical focusing system 42. The resulting beam is focused into a focal spot 45 by optical focusing system 42 for providing directional radiation thus reproduced (symbolically depicted as diagram 46 shown by dashed line) to arise from spot 45 and extend in the direction of its maximum (pointed out by vector 47). This focal spot 45 is therefore the first ss type of said local region. Said steps of adjusting beam 40 in size, parallel shifting transformed beam 43 and controlling the intensity of radiation in beam 40 are handled by the computer (controller) 48 to represent accordingly variable optical parameters of directional radiation 46, namely: its solid angle, its spatial direction and an intensity in this direction. For establishing particular values of said optical parameters, computer 48 selects from computer database 49 data relating to optical characteristics of the respective local object component (e.g., angular width eylX and ey~Y, angles ylX and y~Y of the individual directional radiation 18 associated with object component 12 shown in FIG.1) and forms control signals to be used for carrying out said steps. These processes are symbolically depicted in FIG.4 by hollow arrows. The same process is accomplished for establishing said local region (using coordinates (x, y, z) of object component 12) by carrying out the step of positioning (disclosed in details below with reference to FIGS.S and 6). As a result, optical parameters of reproduced directional radiation 46, such as angular width ey~oX and ny~g, determining its solid angle and angles ylox and y~~, determining its direction (along vector 47), turn out to be equal respectively to those of optical characteristics of local object component 12 or otherwise coordinated with selected data (e.g., when scaling of optical image is carried out). The procedure schematically illustrated in FIG.4 provides for sequentially reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each of said sample of local object components. This procedure may be useful when forming a hologram of a simple or small object requiring not so many local components for its representation, or when forming holograms of directional radiation from at least some of the local components of any part of the object for testing a more complicated procedure, or for other purposes. To this reason, further disclosure of this procedure will now be continued with reference to FIGS.4 and 5 at the same time.
The local region (45) of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation (46) should be established with respect to said coordinate system associated with the recording medium (50) at a location (xo, yo, zo) coordinated with the position of its associated local object component (12) in virtual space.
This is carried out by positioning directional radiation 46 as a whole, maintaining its optical parameters, in three dimensions with respect to a surface of the recording medium 50 in accordance with selected data relating to the position of said local object component 12 (shown in FIG.1 ) that is specified by coordinates (x, y, z).
Said surface may be any of the surfaces of recording medium 50 made, e.g., as a flat layer, which is assigned as a base plane of said coordinate system. The step of positioning reproduced individual directional radiation 46 in three dimensions is carried out, for example, by moving its local region 45 together with optical focusing system 42 along its axis 41, i.e., along a normal to the surface of recording medium 50, to represent z data relating to the position of that local object component 12, while moving recording medium 50 perpendicularly to said surface normal to represent x and y data relating to said position. The step of positioning S ,6' directional radiation 46 may be, of course, carried out differently. Namely, local region 45 of its arising is moved perpendicularly to the normal to the surface of recording medium 50 by moving said optical focusing system 42 and correcting said beam shifting so as to retain the position of its axis 44 with respect to axis 41 and, hence, maintain optical parameters of directional radiation 46. This permits the representation of x and y data relating to the position of said local object component 12, while moving recording medium 50 along said surface normal allows the representation of z data relating to said position. The step of positioning thus reproduced individual directional radiation 46 as a whole is handled by the computer (controller) 48 as mentioned hereinabove.
After having established the local region 45 of its arising, individual directional radiation 46 directed to recording medium 50 is incident onto a corresponding area 51 thereof along with a reference beam 52 directed also onto area 51 so as to form therein a hologram portion storing said directional radiation 46. The reference beam can be produced by adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam with respect to the coordinate system in accordance with selected data in different ways.
In one of them, the step of adjusting the parameters can be accomplished by controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in the second coherent radiation beam and orienting it in an established direction, parallel shifting the second coherent radiation beam with respect to it itself and changing it in size. The last steps are made so that the reference beam thus produced forms an area (not shown in FIGS for simplicity) in medium 50 and so provides complete coverage of the corresponding area 51 relating to the respective reproduced individual distribution of directional radiation 46.
The present invention has no peculiarities in specifying conditions relating to parameters of the reference beam such as its shape and size, an angle of its incidence or its orientation (its direction) with respect to said surface normal of the recording medium, and permits using conventional ways of changing these parameters. As shown in FIGS, the reference beam 52 arrives at the recording medium 50 from the direction opposite to that of arriving individual directional radiation 46, thereby forming a reflection hologram in area 51. When reference beam 52 comes onto the same surface of recording medium 50 as arriving individual directional radiation 46, a transmission type of hologram is formed in area 51.
Processes of establishing the local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation and its holographical recording are carried out sequentially for individual directional radiation associated with each of at least some of said sample of local object components. Individual distributions of directional radiation depicted by 53 and 54 in FIGS, which arise from respective local regions 55 and 56 and recorded sequentially in areas 57 and 58 of recording medium 50 after recording distribution of directional radiation 46, serve as an illustration to this embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the reference beam 52 is produced by adjusting parameters of the second coherent radiation beam in another way shown in FIGS. Namely, this step is accomplished by controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in the second coherent radiation beam, orienting it in an established direction and changing the second coherent radiation beam in size so that reference beam 52 thus produced forms an assigned area 59 in recording medium and, thereby, provides complete covering all said areas 51, 57 and 58. Hence, this way does not require the changing of parameters of the reference beam for recording each subsequent individual distribution of directional radiation, unlike that mentioned hereinabove. This comes about due to the fact that assigned area 59 is an entire area of recording medium 50 relating to a superimposed hologram in the case shown as the explanatory illustration in FIGS. Hologram portions created in areas S 1, 57 and 58 are superimposed upon each other, while partially overlapping and, thus, integrated within the recording medium for forming together a superimposed hologram.
Variants of transforming the first coherent radiation beam other than shown in FIG.4 may be used as well for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters. For example, one of them differs in that it provides for using an optical focusing system having a variable focal length (unlike focusing system 42 in FIG.4) and adjusting its focal length (like zoom) in order to represent the solid angle of directional radiation to be reproduced. This variant as well as that shown in FIG.4 may be used, of course, when employing instead only a part of the first coherent radiation beam. Moreover, in this case other variants can be used for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters. Thus, one of them can be accomplished by orienting the first coherent radiation beam in said coordinate system along the axis of an optical focusing system, enlarging said radiation beam in size and thereafter selecting a part thereof to be used by variably restricting its cross-section. Remaining steps of this variant with respect to said part are carried out similarly to those having been used for the first coherent radiation beam itself in the variant shown in FIG.4.
An apparatus for forming a hologram according to this embodiment of the present invention can employ conventional optical means (or techniques) similar to those in the prior art (see, e.g., US 4498740) for carrying out diverse variants of this embodiment. One of structures of the relevant apparatus for forming the hologram is shown in FIG.6.
In FIG.6 a laser 60 generates a beam 61 of coherent radiation and directs it to and through sequentially disposed shutter 62 and beam expander 63, and therefrom to a beam splitter 64. Beam expander 63 contains telescopic lenses and, optionally, a pinhole (not shown in FIG.6) placed essentially in the joint focus of telescopic lenses to clean up spurious (or extrinsic) light. From beam splitter 64 one portion of beam 61 is directed as a first coherent radiation beam 40 to and through a modulator 65 (for controlling its intensity) and to a first mirror 66 and thence to means 67 for adjusting beam 40 in size. Means 67 is made as a controlled two-dimensional diaphragm (or iris) and is driven by a motor 68. The thus transformed beam 43 passes to a lens 69 to focus the beam onto a two-dimensional deflector 70 made as an oscillatable mirror to be driven by an actuator 71 in both directions (shown by S$

arrows) at right angles to each other. A deflector of this kind is commercially available. From deflector 70 the beam passes to and through a collimating lens and to an optical focusing system 42 made as a movable lens. Said collimating lens 72 is intended to transform angular deflection of said beam into its parallel shifting with respect to an axis 41 of optical focusing system 42. The resulting beam is focused by the latter into a focal spot 45 and directed therefrom as an individual distribution of directional radiation thus reproduced (depicted by diagram 46 in FIGS) onto recording medium S0. Focusing system 42 is mounted on a coordinate drive 73 for moving in three dimensions and positioning reproduced individual directional radiation (46) as a whole to establish the local region of its arising (focal spot 45) as described above. Every time while moving focusing system 42, deflection angles of said beam are proper corrected, if necessary, so as to retain its shifting with respect to axis 41 of focusing system 42 and, therefore, maintain optical parameters of thus reproduced individual directional radiation after said positioning. Such a coordinate drive is well known in the prior art. For carrying out said positioning in a wide range, a holder of recording medium 50 having a substrate could be mounted on another coordinate drive (not shown in FIG.6) for moving recording medium 50 as well in two or three dimensions, if necessary, as has been described above.
The other portion of beam 61 is reflected by beam splitter 64 and becomes a second coherent radiation beam 74 directed to and through a lens 75 which focuses beam 74, and to a second mirror 76 which orients beam 74 in an established direction. From mirror 76 a reference beam 77 thus produced to be divergent is directed to recording medium 50 to provide complete coverage of an assigned area (not labeled) thereof that is an entire area of recording medium 50 relating to a superimposed hologram to be formed. This illustrates a possibility of using divergent reference beam 77 (or even convergent) instead of collimated (like beam 52) as shown in FIGS.
A computer 48 is employed as a control center for the proposed apparatus for forming a hologram (a holographic printer). Computer 48 is preprogrammed for forming control signals in accordance with data selected from computer database 49 and directing these signals through interfaces 78,79, 80, 81 and 82 to control inputs respectively of motor 68, actuator 71, modulator 65, coordinate drive 73 and shutter 62 to coordinate properly their operation. This permits the reproduction of said individual directional radiation and establishment of optical parameters thereof by adjusting beam 40 in size, parallel shifting transformed beam 43 and controlling the intensity of radiation in beam 40, establishing local region 45 of arising of individual directional radiation thus reproduced and specifying time for exposing recording medium S0, thereto together with divergent reference beam 77 for holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation.
Diverse modifications in structure of the apparatus for forming the hologram can be performed according to said embodiment of the present invention. Thus, for adjusting parameters of second coherent radiation beam 74 an ensemble of means s9 being driven by a motor 84 for adjusting this beam in size, a focusing lens 85, a two-dimensional deflector 86 made as an oscillatable mirror to be driven by an actuator 87 in directions (depicted by arrows) at right angles to each other and a collimating lens 88 could be used (see FIG.7). Said ensemble of optical means is similar to that used for transforming first coherent radiation beam 40 and intended for changing beam 74 in size, parallel shifting it with respect to itself (and axis of collimating lens 88) and orienting it in an established direction to provide complete coverage by the reference beam 89 thus produced, of a corresponding area (like S 1 ) of recording medium S0. Area 51 relates to the respective reproduced individual distribution of directional radiation (such as 46 in FIG.S). Reference beam 89 collimated in this variant forms an area about the size of the corresponding area of individual directional radiation in medium 50. Parameters of reference beam 89 should be changed when recording each subsequent individual distribution of directional radiation (like 53 or 54 in FIGS) in order to cover a corresponding area (like 57 or 58). This is performed (as for beam 40) by computer 48 forming respective control signals in accordance with data selected from computer database 49 and directing these signals through interfaces 90 and 91 respectively to control inputs of motor 84 and actuator 87. The software associated with producing such control signals is well known in the art and forms no part of the present invention. A modulator (like 65) may be employed as well for controlling beam 74 in its radiation intensity separately, when necessary.
The same ensemble of optical means (as shown in FIG.7) is used in one more structure of the apparatus for forming the hologram (see FIG.B) for adjusting parameters of second coherent radiation beam 74. But, optical means (or techniques) for transforming first coherent radiation beam 40 is simplified. Thus, unlike that shown in FIGS.6 and 7, transformed beam 43 is directed to a third mirror 92, and a reflected beam is retained in an unchanged position in the coordinate system.
In this case, the spatial direction of said reproduced individual directional radiation 46 is established by only moving optical focusing system 42 in X and Y directions with coordinate drive 73, thus changing the position of axis 41 with respect to said reflected beam. In contrast, positioning reproduced individual directional radiation 46 as a whole is carried out by moving its local region 45 together with optical focusing system 42 along axis 41 to represent z data relating to the position of local object component 12. To represent x and y data relating to its position, recording medium 50 is moved in X and Y directions, i.e., perpendicularly to its surface normal. For positioning directional radiation 46 in such a way, the holder of recording medium 50 having a substrate is mounted on another coordinate drive for moving recording medium SO in said two dimensions. Coordinate drive 93 is handled by computer 48 through an interface 94. When recording each subsequent individual distribution of directional radiation (like 54 in FIG.S), computer 48 forms respective control signals and directs them through interfaces 81 and 94 respectively to control inputs of drive 73 and drive 93. As a result of coordinated movements of optical focusing system 42 and recording medium SO to their new locations (shown by dashed lines in FIG.B) a local region 56 of arising of directional radiation 54 is established. Parameters of reference beam 89 are changed in a similar way to that described with reference to FIG.7 for covering a corresponding area 58. Its new position is shown by dashed lines.
The analysis of said structures shows that the proposed apparatus for forming a hologram provides the preservation of 3-D aspects of thus reproduced individual directional radiation, having its respective spatial direction and its respective solid angle, and coordinates of a local region of its arising as well. Whereas in the prior art only an image of each discrete point of light on one of the sectional images can be presented to the observer (see US 4498740), as described hereinabove.
Meanwhile, apart from variants of transforming a first coherent radiation beam itself or its selected part, other variants may be employed for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters according to the present invention. One of them is based on using its presentation as a bundle of multitudinous rays in virtual space. This variant is accomplished by enlarging the first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing the resulting object beam into a multitude of parts by spatial modulating thereof to form a bundle of rays and select each of rays intended to be oriented in a different pre-established direction with respect to said coordinate system. In order to represent accordingly variable optical parameters of directional radiation being reproduced, rays to be selected are varied in number, then a selection is made of those rays that are intended to be oriented in required directions, and intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in each selected ray is controlled.
Selected rays directed in their pre-established directions are oriented so as if all of them emanate from a single local spot. Thereby, directional radiation thus reproduced is made of arise from said single local spot being therefore the second type of said local region.
It is possible to use optical means (or techniques) known in the prior art and based on employing diffraction elements and a spatial light modulator controlled by the computer for reproducing said spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation, as discussed above. Such a spatial light modulator has a large aperture number and is disposed to provide correct matching of its pixels with said diffraction elements. So, only the required diffraction elements corresponding to pixels selected under control of the computer are illuminated with laser light of the specified intensity (see, e.g., US 5907312).
6~

Claims

1. A method for forming a hologram that can be illuminated to produce a three-dimensional optical image of an object, comprising the steps of:
providing a computer database with three-dimensional data representing the object composed of local components, each local component being specifiable in three-dimensional virtual space with respect to a reference system by at least its position and optical characteristics associated with an individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation extending from that local object component in terms of its respective spatial direction and its respective solid angle, selecting data relating to each of a representative sample of local object components having their associated individual directional radiation directions lying within an assigned field of view of the three-dimensional optical image to be produced, physically reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each of said sample of local object components using a first coherent radiation beam and transforming this beam in a coordinate system by varying parameters of at least one part thereof in accordance with selected data, the individual directional radiation thus reproducedbeing made to arise from a local region and having optical parameters themselves revealing individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view so as to provide the appearing of three-dimensional aspects of the optical image to be produced, establishing each local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation with respect to said coordinate system to be at a location coordinated with the position of its associated local object component in virtual space and directing said reproduced individual directional radiation onto a corresponding area of a recording medium,holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation using a second radiation beam coherent with first radiation beam, adjusting its parameters with respect to the coordinate system in accordance with selected data and directing the reference beam thus produced onto said area of the recording medium along with said reproduced individual directional radiation so as to form in said area a hologram portion for storing said reproduced individual directional radiation and preserving thereby its optical parameters with their individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view, said hologram portion being itself therefore a three-dimensional representation of the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each respective local object component, its optical characteristics and its position in virtual space, and integrating hologram portions by at least partially superimposing some of them upon each other within said recording medium for forming together a superimposed hologram capable when illuminated of simultaneously rendering all individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation stored in all of the hologram portions, thereby producing an actual three-dimensional optical image of at least a part of the object, such an image having a complete dimensionality and exhibiting all required three-dimensional aspects, preserved due to the use of said three-dimensional representations.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein data representing the object in the computer database is divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in virtual space in the depth direction with respect to said reference system.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein data representing the object in the computer database is divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction with respect to said reference system.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said reference system established in virtual space is associated with the object.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said reference system established in virtual space containing the object has a reference plane.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of depth planes is used in the virtual space containing the object and disposed therein in the depth direction to be parallel with the reference plane of said reference system.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said coordinate system established in real space is associated with the recording medium.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said coordinate system associated with the recording medium has a base plane.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein, when the recording medium being made as a flat layer, one of surfaces thereof is assigned to be the base plane.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein, when the recording medium having a flat substrate, one of surfaces of the latter is assigned to be the base plane.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein said part of the object includes each of the details or each of the surface areas thereof that are visible from at least one of segments of the assigned field of view.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein local object components arranged in virtual space are respective fragments of any surface area of the object.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein, when using data representing any of the fragments of said surface area in the computer database which contain several surface points, the optical characteristics and a position of such a fragment are specified in virtual space with respect to said reference system as being averaged accordingly over all said surface points.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein local object components arranged in virtual space are fine details of the object or respective fragments of any other detail thereof.

15. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction with respect to said reference system, local components of the object include those respective fragments of any surface area thereof which are arranged in at least one of the object sections.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein each local object component has a size not exceeding that determined by the resolution limit of the unaided eye.

17. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when using data representing the object composed of local components for further transformations in the computer database to perform size scaling of the object in virtual space, the step of providing a computer database with three-dimensional data additionally comprises the steps of:
proportionally changing positions of local components of the object in virtual space with respect to said reference system and establishing their resulting positions such that the distance between any two adjacent local object components does not exceed a distance determined by the resolution limit of the unaided eye.

18. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of selecting data relating to a representative sample of local object components is carried out with a sampling density not below the value determined by the resolution limit of the unaided eye.

19. The method according to claim 1 wherein the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of at least said sample of local object components in the computer database is specified in virtual space with respect to said reference system by selecting a bundle of a multitude of rays each ray being specifiable by an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation and different pre-established direction, and each ray lying within a solid angle of the local object component's individual distribution of directional radiation and each ray to be oriented along its pre-established direction so as if all of them were to emanate from their associated local object components.

20. The method according to claim 1 wherein the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of at least said sample of local object components in the computer database is specified in virtual space with respect to said reference system by appropriate characteristics of its directivity pattern having its origin at the position of the respective local object component and characteristics including an angular width, a spatial direction of its maximum and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction as well.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein at least in one group of local object components in the computer database the optical characteristics associated with individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation are specified by similar characteristics of their respective directivity patterns in virtual space, each pattern having the same angular width and the same spatial direction of its maximum for any local object component in the same group in order to provide a possibility of representing particular peculiarities in optical properties of each corresponding object details or each corresponding surface areas of the object.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with some of the local object components in the same group are specified with partial overlapping in virtual space to provide a more realistic representation of said peculiarities in the optical properties of said object details or said surface areas of the object.

23. The method according to claim 21 wherein, when using at least two such groups, each directivity pattern relating to the optical characteristics of local object components in one group has different characteristics in terms of angular width and/or spatial direction of maximum when compared to characteristics of any of the directivity patterns of any other group in order to provide a possibility of representing individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view of the optical properties of each corresponding object detail or each corresponding surface area of the object.

24. The method according to claim 1 wherein the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of a necessary minimum number of local object components in the computer database is specified in virtual space as being composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation each originating from the local object component and being oriented in said reference system along different lines lying within a solid angle specified for the local object component's individual distribution of directional radiation as a whole in order to provide a flexibility for diverse modifications in the shape of any individual distribution of directional radiation and, hence, a possibility of representing particular peculiarities in the optical properties of each of the corresponding fine object details or in optical characteristics of each separate corresponding surface fragment of the object.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with each of some local object components are specified with partial overlapping in virtual space to provide a more realistic representation of said peculiarities in the optical properties of fine object details or in the optical characteristics of separate surface fragments of the object.

26. The method according to claim 24 wherein the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of said local object components in the computer database is specified in virtual space by appropriate characteristics of directivity patterns each relating to one of said constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with said local object component, having an origin at a position of this local object component and characteristics including an angular width, a spatial direction of maximum oriented along the respective line of that constituent distribution and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction as well.

27. The method according to claim 1 wherein the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of at least a set of local object components in the computer database is specified in virtual space as being composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation each originating from a separate spot and oriented in said reference system along different lines originating from the spots and lying within a solid angle specified for the local object component's individual distribution of directional radiation as a whole and each individual distribution extending through its associated local object component in order to provide a flexibility of diverse modifications in the shape of any individual distribution of directional radiation and, hence, a possibility of representing particular peculiarities in the optical properties of each corresponding fine object detail or in optical characteristics of each corresponding separate surface fragment of the object.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with each of some local object components are specified with partial overlapping in virtual space to provide a more realistic representation of said peculiarities in the optical properties of fine object details or in optical characteristics of separate surface fragments of the object.

29. The method according to claim 27 wherein the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of each of such local object components in the computer database is specified in virtual space by appropriate characteristics of directivity patterns each relating to one of said constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with said local object component, having an origin at a position of its respective separate spot and characteristics including an angular width, a spatial direction of maximum oriented along the respective line of that constituent distribution and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction as well.

30. The method according to claim 27 wherein, when using in the virtual space containing the object a plurality of depth planes disposed in the depth direction parallel with a reference plane of said reference system, each of the separate spots from which originates all constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with the respective local object components specified in the computer database are located at points of intersection of their respective lines and the same depth plane, which is therefore a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with this local object component.

31. The method according to claim 30 wherein if the respective of such local object components is arranged in the representative plane for its associated individual directional radiation, a position of said point of intersection corresponds to the position of this local object component itself in said representative plane.

32. The method according to claim 30 wherein the representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with any of such local object components is one of the depth planes, in which this local object component is arranged or which is the nearest one to this local object component in the depth direction.

33. The method according to claim 30 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database as being divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in virtual space in the depth direction, one depth plane is disposed in each of the zones as a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with each of the local object components arranged in the respective zone.

34. The method according to claim 33 wherein each of the representative planes is disposed in the middle of its respective zone.

35. The method according to claim 30 wherein the reference plane is disposed in virtual space with respect to the object at a position relating to that established for a surface of the recording medium

36. The method according to claim 35 wherein said reference plane is disposed to pass through the object in virtual space.

37.The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of physically reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each of said sample of local object components comprises the steps of transforming a first coherent radiation beam, by varying parameters of at least one part thereof, to be used for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters such as solid angle, spatial direction and intensity (or amplitude) in this direction, changing these optical parameters with respect to said coordinate system to represent data relating to optical characteristics of any of said sample of local object components in the computer database and provide directional radiation thus reproduced as if arising from a local region, establishing particular values of said optical parameters of thus reproduced directional radiation to be coordinated with selected data relating to optical characteristics of the respective local object component for thus reproducing its associated individual directional radiation.

38. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters thereof for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters comprises the steps of orienting the first coherent radiation beam in said coordinate system to be along the axis of an optical focusing system having a fixed focal length, adjusting said radiation beam in size, parallel shifting thereof with respect to the axis of this optical focusing system and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in said radiation beam to represent accordingly said variable optical parameters of directional radiation to be reproduced, and focusing the resulting beam into a focal spot by this optical focusing system for providing directional radiation thus reproduced as if arising from said focal spot being therefore defined as the first type of said local region.

39. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters thereof for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters comprises the steps of orienting the first coherent radiation beam in said coordinate system to be along the axis of an optical focusing system having a variable focal length, adjusting the focal length of this optical system, parallel shifting said radiation beam with respect to the axis of this optical focusing system and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in said radiation beam to represent accordingly said variable optical parameters of directional radiation to be reproduced, and focusing the resulting beam into a focal spot by this optical focusing system for providing directional radiation thus reproduced as if arising from said focal spot also being therefore the first type of said local region.

40. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of a part thereof for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters comprises the steps of orienting the first coherent radiation beam in said coordinate system to be along the axis of an optical focusing system, enlarging said radiation beam in size and thereafter selecting a part thereof to be used by variably restricting its cross-section, adjusting the selected part of said radiation beam in size, parallel shifting this part thereof with respect to the axis of this optical focusing system, and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in this part of said radiation beam to represent accordingly said variable optical parameters of directional radiation to be reproduced, and focusing the resulting beam into a focal spot by this optical focusing system for providing directional radiation thus reproduced as if arising from said focal spot also being therefore the first type of said local region.

41. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of physically reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation is carried out sequentially for individual directional radiation associated with each of said sample of local object components.

42. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters comprises the steps of enlarging the first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing the resulting object beam into a multitude of parts by spatial modulation to form a bundle of rays and selecting each of the rays intended to be oriented in a different pre-established direction with respect to said coordinate system, varying the number of rays to be selected, selecting rays intended to be oriented in required directions, and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in each selected ray to represent accordingly said variable optical parameters of directional radiation to be reproduced, and directing selected rays in their pre-established directions being oriented as if all of them emanated from a single local spot and thereby providing directional radiation thus reproduced as if arising from said single local spot, being therefore defined as the second type of said local region.

43. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters comprises the steps of enlarging the first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing the beam into fractions and selecting those ones to be used to form an ensemble of partial radiation beams each having variable parameters, orienting each selected fraction of said radiation beam in the coordinate system separately to be along the axis of its relating optical focusing system and selecting at least one part in that fraction thereof to be used by variably restricting a cross-section of that fraction, adjusting each selected part of that fraction thereof in size, parallel shifting this part thereof with respect to the axis of said optical focusing system, and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in this part of that fraction of said radiation beam to provide required variations in parameters of one of the respective partial radiation beams to be produced, said parameters including accordingly a solid angle, a spatial direction and an intensity (or amplitude) in this direction, focusing the resulting fractional beam by said optical focusing system into a sole focal spot established for said ensemble in the coordinate system to produce said respective partial radiation beam having variable parameters such that it extends along with all of the partial radiation beams selected into the ensemble from said sole focal spot, being therefore the third type of said local region, for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters, and varying parameters of all partial radiation beams of said ensemble in common to represent as a result of their proper matched variations said variable optical parameters of thus reproduced directional radiation to be coordinated with optical characteristics of each of at least a number of respective said local object components in the computer database.

44. The method according to claim 43 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database as being divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction to be parallel with a reference plane of said reference system, the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out by varying parameters of required parts thereof to produce simultaneously a respective number of said ensembles of partial radiation beams extending from their sole focal spots located all at respective locations in one of planes parallel with a base plane of the coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with a position of one of the respective object sections with respect to the reference plane and thereby physically reproduce in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of all said local object components arranged in one object section at a time.

45. The method according to claim 37 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters comprises the steps of enlarging the first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing it into fractions and selecting those ones to be used to form an ensemble of partial radiation beams each having variable parameters and extending through a sole local spot established for such an ensemble in the coordinate system, orienting each selected fraction of said radiation beam in the coordinate system separately along the axis of its relating optical focusing system and selecting at least one part in that fraction thereof to be used by variably restricting a cross-section of that fraction, adjusting each selected part of that fraction thereof in size, parallel shifting this part thereof with respect to the axis of said optical focusing system, and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in this part of that fraction of said radiation beam to provide required variations in parameters of one of the partial radiation beams to be produced, said parameters including accordingly a solid angle, a spatial direction and an intensity (or amplitude) in this direction, focusing the resulting fractional beam by said optical focusing system into its respective individual spot to produce said partial radiation beam emanating from this individual spot and having variable parameters and provide its extension along with all of the partial radiation beams selected into the ensemble through said sole local spot, being therefore the fourth type of said local region, for reproducing directional radiation having variable optical parameters, and varying parameters of all partial radiation beams of such ensemble in common to represent as a result of their proper matched variations said variable optical parameters of thus reproduced directional radiation to be coordinated with optical characteristics of each of at least a set of such respective local object components in the computer database.

46.The method according to claim 45 wherein, when having in the virtual space containing the object a plurality of depth planes disposed in the depth direction to be parallel with a reference plane of the reference system, individual spots of all emanating partial radiation beams selected into such an ensemble are located at respective locations in one of planes parallel with a base plane of said coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with a position of one respective depth plane being a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with the respective local object component to thereby physically reproduce in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation as a whole associated with optical characteristics of each respective local object components.

47.The method according to claim 45 wherein, when having in the virtual space containing the object a plurality of depth planes disposed in the depth direction parallel with a reference plane of the reference system and using data representing the object in the computer database divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in the same direction so to have in each of the zones one of the depth planes as a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with each of such local object components arranged in the respective zone, the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out by varying parameters of the required parts thereof to produce simultaneously a respective set of such ensembles of partial radiation beams emanating from individual spots located at their locations in one respective plane parallel with a base plane of the coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with a position of the representative plane of the respective zone with respect to the reference plane and thereby physically reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of all such local object components arranged in one of the zones at a time.

48.The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of physically reproducing in light the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each of said sample of local object components, when such individual distribution is specified itself as composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation in virtual space with respect to said reference system, comprises the constituent steps of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof to be used for producing an ensemble of partial radiation beams each having variable parameters such as solid angle, spatial direction and intensity (or amplitude) in this direction, changing parameters of each partial radiation beam selected into the ensemble with respect to said coordinate system to represent data relating to said constituent distributions associated with appropriate optical characteristics of any of said sample of local object components in the computer database and provide directional radiation thus reproduced by all of the partial radiation beams of the ensemble in common as if arising from a local region;
establishing particular values of parameters of each partial radiation beam of the ensemble which are coordinated with selected data relating to the respective constituent distributions of directional radiation associated with appropriate optical characteristics of the respective local object component for reproducing that constituent distribution and, along with all of the partial radiation beams of the ensemble, the individual directional radiation associated with this local object component as a whole.

49. The method according to claim 48 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof comprises the steps of enlarging the first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing it into fractions and selecting those fractions to be used for producing the ensemble of partial radiation beams each having variable parameters, orienting each selected fraction of said radiation beam in the coordinate system separately along the axis of its relating optical focusing system and selecting at least one part in that fraction to be used by variably restricting a cross-section of that fraction, adjusting each selected part of the fraction in size, parallel shifting each part thereof with respect to the axis of said optical focusing system, and controlling the intensity (or amplitude) of radiation of each part of the fraction of said radiation beam in order to represent accordingly said variable parameters of one partial radiation beam to be produced, and focusing the resulting fractional beam by said optical focusing system into a sole focal spot established for said ensemble in the coordinate system to produce said partial radiation beam having variable parameters and provide for its extendsion along with all of the other partial radiation beams selected into the ensemble from said sole focal spot, being therefore one special type of said local region, thus reproducing directional radiation which is coordinated with appropriate optical characteristics of each of at least a number of respective said local object components in the computer database.

50. The method according to claim 49 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction parallel with a reference plane of said reference system, the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out by varying parameters of required parts thereof to produce simultaneously a respective number of said ensembles of partial radiation beams extending from their sole focal spots all located at respective locations in one of the planes parallel with a base plane of the coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with a position of one of the respective object sections with respect to the reference plane and provide thereby a physical reproduction in light of the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of said local object components arranged in one of the object sections at a time.

51. The method according to claim 48 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof comprises the steps of enlarging the first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing it into fractions and selecting those fractions to be used for producing the ensemble of partial radiation beams each having variable parameters and extending through a sole local spot established for such an ensemble in the coordinate system, orienting each selected fraction of said radiation beam in the coordinate system separately along the axis of its relating optical focusing system and selecting at least one part in that fraction to be used by variably restricting a cross-section of that fraction, adjusting each selected part of the fraction in size, parallel shifting each part with respect to the axis of said optical focusing system, and controlling the intensity (or amplitude) of radiation of each part of the fraction of said radiation beam in order to represent accordingly said variable parameters of one partial radiation beam to be produced, and focusing the resulting fractional beam by said optical focusing system into its respective individual spot to produce said partial radiation beam emanating from this individual spot and having variable parameters and provide for its extension along with all of partial radiation beams selected into the ensemble through said sole local spot, being therefore another special type of said local region, thus reproducing directional radiation to be coordinated with appropriate optical characteristics of each of at least a set of such respective local object components in the computer database.

52.The method according to claim 51 wherein, when having in the virtual space containing the object a plurality of depth planes disposed in the depth direction parallel with a reference plane of the reference system and using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in the same direction so to have in each of the zones one of the depth planes a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with each of such local object components arranged in the respective zone, the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out by varying parameters of the required parts thereof to produce simultaneously a respective set of such ensembles of partial radiation beams emanating from individual spots located at their locations in one respective plane parallel with a base plane of the coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with a position of the representative plane of the respective zone with respect to the reference plane and provide thereby a physical reproduction in light of the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in one of the zones at a time.

53. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of establishing the local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out by its positioning as a whole, maintaining optical parameters thereof, in three dimensions with respect to a surface of the recording medium in said coordinate system in accordance with selected position data relating to its associated local object component.

54. The method according to claim 53 wherein the step of positioning thus reproduced individual directional radiation in three dimensions is carried out to allow for movement of the local region of its arising along a normal to the surface of the recording medium to represent z data relating to the position of that local object component in virtual space, while moving the recording medium perpendicularly to its surface normal to represent x and y data relating to said position.

55. The method according to claim 53 wherein the step of positioning thus reproduced individual directional radiation in three dimensions is carried out to allow for moving the local region of its arising perpendicularly to a normal to the surface of the recording medium to represent x and y data relating to the position of said local object component in virtual space, while moving the recording medium along its surface normal to represent z data relating to said position.

56. The method according to claim 53 wherein the step of establishing the local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out sequentially for individual directional radiation associated with each respective local object component of said sample of local object components in virtual space.

57. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction and physically reproducing in light individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of said local object components arranged in one of the object sections at a time, the step of establishing the local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out for individual directional radiation associated with one of said local object components arranged in each of the object sections in accordance with selected position data relating to this local object component in virtual space.

58. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in virtual space in the depth direction and physically reproducing in light individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in one of the zones at a time, the step of establishing the local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out for individual directional radiation associated with one of such local object components in each of the zones in accordance with selected position data relating to this local object component in virtual space.

59. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out sequentially for individual directional radiation associated with each of at least some of said sample of local object components and the step of adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam in accordance with selected data comprises the steps of controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in the second coherent radiation beam and orienting it in an established direction with respect to said coordinate system, parallel shifting the second coherent radiation beam with respect to it itself and changing its size to provide complete coverage by the reference beam thus producing a corresponding area of the recording medium relating to the respective reproduced individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation associated with each local object component.

60. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into sections disposed in virtual space in the depth direction, the step of holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out for individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of said local object components arranged in one of the object sections at a time and the step of adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam in accordance with selected data comprises the steps of:

controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in the second coherent radiation beam and orienting it in an established direction with respect to said coordinate system, changing the second coherent radiation beam in size to provide complete coverage by the reference beam thus producing a corresponding combined area of the recording medium relating to reproduced individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of all local object components arranged in the respective object section.

61. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in virtual space in the depth direction, the step of holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out for individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in one of the zones at a time and the step of adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam in accordance with selected data comprises the steps of controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in the second coherent radiation beam and orienting it in an established direction with respect to said coordinate system, changing the second coherent radiation beam in size to provide complete coverage by the reference beam thus producing an assigned area of the recording medium and thereby holographically recording reproduced individual distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in the respective zone.

62. The method according to claim 61 wherein said assigned area is an entire area of the recording medium relating to the superimposed hologram to be formed.

63. The method according to claim 61 wherein said assigned area is a corresponding combined area of the recording medium relating to reproduced individual distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in the respective zone.

64. The method according to claim 1 wherein, when having in the virtual space containing the object a plurality of depth planes disposed in the depth direction which are parallel with a reference plane of the reference system, using data representing the object in the computer database which is divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in the same direction so to have in each of the zones a depth planes which is a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with each of such local object components arranged in the respective zone, and specifying the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of such directional radiation as being composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation originating from separate spots located in that representative plane, the step of physical reproduction in light is carried out for individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in one of the zones at a time, and the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out by varying parameters of required parts thereof to produce simultaneously a respective set of ensembles of partial radiation beams emanating all from their individual spots located in their respective plane which is parallel with a base plane of the coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with the position of the representative plane of the respective zone with respect to the reference plane, each of the partial radiation beams in the respective ensemble having variable parameters to be coordinated with selected data relating to one of the constituent distributions of directional radiation associated with appropriate optical characteristics of the respective local object component in the respective zone for reproducing thereby that constituent distribution and, along with all of the partial radiation beams of the ensemble to which it belongs, a whole individual directional radiation associated with this local object component, the thus reproduced individual directional radiation pattern arising from a local region and having optical parameters which reveal individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view to provide the appearing of three-dimensional aspects in the optical image to be produced.

65. The method according to claim 64 wherein, when using data representing the object composed of local components and divided into three-dimensional zones for further transformations in the computer database to perform image translation and scaling of zones in virtual space, the step of providing a computer database with three-dimensional data comprises additionally the step of transforming data relating to positions and optical characteristics of such local object components arranged in each of the zones other than the one designated below as the first zone to represent a three-dimensional image of such other zones in virtual space by lens optics and placed by appropriate selection of its focal length onto the first zone so to have a representative plane of the respective zone thus transformed at a position being just the same as that of the representative plane of the first zone with respect to the reference plane, the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out to provide physical reproduction in light of the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation, associated with optical characteristics of all such local object components arranged in the respective thus transformed zone other than the first, the reproduction being by the respective set of ensembles of partial radiation beams emanating from individual spots located in the respective plane disposed with respect to the base plane at the position being just the same as that coordinated with the position of the representative plane of the first zone, the step of holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out for individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all such local object components arranged in one zone at a time and, when using data for any of the transformed zones, comprises the steps of:

adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam with respect to the coordinate system to produce a reference beam having a variable divergency and emanating in an established direction from a small spot located with respect to the base plane at a different location depending on the respective focal length selected by said lens optics when transforming data relating to the respective zone other than the first, establishing the small spot from where the reference beam emanates at the respective location and changing the divergency thereof to provide complete coverage by the reference beam of an assigned area of the recording medium and thereby holographically recording such reproduced distributions of directional radiation relating to the respective zones.

66. A method for forming a hologram that can be illuminated to produce a three-dimensional optical image of an object, comprising the steps of providing a computer database with a) three-dimensional data representing the object composed of local components and divided into three-dimensional zones disposed in virtual space in the depth direction with respect to a reference system, and b) a plurality of depth planes disposed in the same direction parallel with a reference plane of the reference system with one depth plane in each of the zones, in which database each local component is specified by at least its position and its optical characteristics associated with an individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distribution of directional radiation extending from that local component in its respective spatial direction and in its respective solid angle and being composed of constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation originating from separate spots located in the respective depth plane which is therefore a representative plane for individual directional radiation associated with each of such local object components arranged in the respective zone, selecting data relating to each of a representative sample of such local object components having their associated individual directional radiation lying within an assigned field of view of the three-dimensional optical image to be produced, physically reproducing in light individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of all such local object components arranged in one zone at a time using a first coherent radiation beam and transforming this beam in a coordinate system by varying parameters of required parts thereof to produce simultaneously a respective set of ensembles of partial radiation beams all emanating from their individual spots located in a respective plane parallel with a base plane of the coordinate system and disposed with respect to this base plane at a position coordinated with a position of the representative plane of the respective zone with respect to the reference plane, each of the partial radiation beams in the respective ensemble having variable parameters to be coordinated with selected data relating to one of constituent distributions of directional radiation associated with appropriate optical characteristics of the respective local object component in the respective zone for reproducing thereby that constituent distribution and, along with all other partial radiation beams of it's the respective ensemble, a whole individual directional radiation pattern associated with this local object component, the thus reproduced individual directional radiation arising from a local region and having optical parameters revealing individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view to provide the appearance of three-dimensional aspects of the optical image to be produced, establishing the local region of arising of thus reproduced individual directional radiation associated with each such local object components in the respective zone with respect to the coordinate system to be at a location coordinated with the position of the local object component in the zone and directing such reproduced individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with optical characteristics of all such local object components arranged in the respective zone onto a corresponding combined area of a recording medium, holographically recording such reproduced distributions of directional radiation relating to the respective zone using a second radiation beam coherent with first radiation, adjusting its parameters with respect to the coordinate system in accordance with selected data and directing a reference beam thus produced onto the combined area of the recording medium along with such reproduced distributions of directional radiation so as to form in said combined area a single hologram portion for storing such reproduced distributions of directional radiation and preserving thereby optical parameters of each respective individual distribution of directional radiation with its individuality and definite spatial specificity in the assigned field of view, such a single hologram portion being itself therefore a three-dimensional representation of respective individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with such local object components arranged in the respective zone their optical characteristics, and their positions in virtual space, and integrating all of the single hologram portions by at least partially superimposing some of them upon each other within said recording medium for forming together a superimposed hologram capable when illuminated to render simultaneously respective individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation stored in all of the single hologram portions thereby producing an actual three-dimensional optical image of at least a part of the object, such an image having a complete dimensionality and exhibiting all required three-dimensional aspects, preserved due to using such three-dimensional representations.

67. The method according to claim 66 wherein each of the constituent spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with each local object component arranged in each of the zones originates from its respective separate spot located at a point of intersection of the representative plane in the respective zone and a different line, is oriented in said reference system along this line lying within a solid angle specified for its respective individual distribution of directional radiation as a whole and extending through its associated local object component, and is specified in virtual space by appropriate characteristics of its relating directivity pattern having an origin at a position of its respective separate spot and characteristics including an angular width, a spatial direction of maximum oriented along the respective line of that constituent distribution and a radiation intensity (or amplitude) value in this direction as well.

68. The method according to claim 66 wherein the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam by varying parameters of respective parts thereof to produce one respective partial radiation beams comprises the steps of:
enlarging a first coherent radiation beam in size, dividing it into fractions and selecting those ones to be used for producing the respective ensemble of partial radiation beams with variable parameters, orienting each selected fraction of said radiation beam in the coordinate system separately to be along the axis of its relating optical focusing system and selecting a respective part in that fraction for producing the partial radiation beams of the respective ensemble by variably restricting a cross-section of that fraction, adjusting the selected part of the fraction in size, parallel shifting this part with respect to the axis of said optical focusing system, and controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in this part of the fraction of said radiation beam to represent accordingly the variable parameters of said partial radiation beam to be produced such as solid angle, spatial direction and intensity (or amplitude) in this direction, and focusing the resulting fractional beam by said optical focusing system into its respective individual spot to produce said partial radiation beam emanating from this individual spot and having variable parameters, changing these parameters with respect to said coordinate system and establishing their particular values to be coordinated with appropriate optical characteristics of said respective local object component, the characteristics relating to one of its associated constituent distributions of directional radiation, to produce said respective partial radiation beam emanating from said individual spot with its respective individual distribution of directional radiation extending through the local region of origin and thereby reproduce that constituent distribution of directional radiation.

69. The method according to claim 66 wherein the step of adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam in accordance with selected data comprises the steps of:
controlling an intensity (or amplitude) of radiation in the second coherent radiation beam and orienting it in an established direction with respect to said coordinate system, changing the second coherent radiation beam in size to provide complete coverage, by the reference beam thus produced, an assigned area of the recording medium and thereby holographically recording such reproduced individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in the respective zone.

70. The method according to claim 69 wherein said assigned area is an entire area of the recording medium relating to the superimposed hologram to be formed.

71. The method according to claim 64 wherein, when using data representing the object composed of local components and divided into three-dimensional zones for further transformations in the computer database to perform image translation and scaling of zones in virtual space, the step of providing a computer database with three-dimensional data comprises additionally the step of transforming data relating to positions and optical characteristics of such local object components arranged in each of the zones other than the one designated below as the first zone to represent a three-dimensional image of the respective such other zone in virtual space by lens optics and placed by an appropriate selection of focal length onto the first zone so to have a representative plane of the respective zone thus transformed at a position being just the same as that of the representative plane of the first zone with respect to the reference plane, the step of transforming a first coherent radiation beam is carried out to provide physical reproduction in light of the individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation, associated with optical characteristics of all such local object components arranged in the respective thus transformed zone other than the first, the reproduction being by the respective set of ensembles of partial radiation beams emanating from individual spots located in the respective plane disposed with respect to the base plane at the position being just the same as that coordinated with the position of the representative plane of the first zone, the step of holographically recording said reproduced individual directional radiation is carried out for individual spatial intensity (or amplitude) distributions of directional radiation associated with all of such local object components arranged in one zone at a time and, when using data for any of the transformed zones , comprises the steps of:

adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam with respect to the coordinate system to produce a reference beam having a variable divergency and emanating in an established direction from a small spot located with respect to the base plane at a different location depending on the respective focal length selected by said lens optics when transforming data relating to the respective of other zones, establishing the small spot from where the reference beam emanates at the respective location and changing the divergency thereof to provide complete coverage by the reference beam of an assigned area of the recording medium and thereby holographically recording such reproduced distributions of directional radiation relating to the respective zones.

72.The method according to claim 71 wherein the step of adjusting parameters of a second coherent radiation beam comprises the steps of orienting the second coherent radiation beam in said coordinate system to be in its established direction along the axis of a lens system and adjusting it in size to represent thereby a required range of varying divergency of the reference beam to be produced, focusing that radiation beam into the small spot by the lens system to produce the reference beam emanating from this spot and having variable divergency, and positioning the reference beam as a whole, while maintaining remaining optical parameters thereof, together with the lens system, with respect to the base plane to establish the spot of its emanation at said respective location.